Italy's Matteo Arnaldi faced a heartbreaking withdrawal from his first Grand Slam semi-final at the 2026 French Open due to illness. Scheduled to compete against his close friend Flavio Cobolli, Arnaldi announced his decision just 25 minutes before the match was set to begin on Friday, citing a virus that left him feeling dizzy and unable to perform.

In a statement made shortly before the match, Arnaldi, ranked 104th, expressed his dismay, saying, "I just know I can't move, I can't eat and I can't drink - there was no way I was able to play." This marked a significant moment for Arnaldi, who had never previously advanced beyond the fourth round of a major tournament.

Flavio Cobolli, the 10th seed, was understandably affected by his friend's withdrawal. "It is so, so tough. When he came to see me, I almost cried," Cobolli shared, demonstrating the close bond between the two players. Cobolli will now face Alexander Zverev, the second seed and title favorite, in his first major final on Sunday.

Arnaldi revealed that he started feeling unwell on Thursday night, suffering from stomach pain and vomiting, prompting him to call for medical assistance the following morning. He reflected on the situation, stating, "Withdrawing from a first Grand Slam semi-final is not what you wish to anybody."

The French Open organizers announced that ticket-holders would receive a full refund for the match that did not take place, while Cobolli took to the court for a practice session, entertaining the fans who remained at Roland Garros.