Key takeaways
- Flavio Cobolli praised his opponent after a five-set win, stating, “I think Tristan played unbelievable, so I’m happy with my performance.”
- Addressing the pressure he faces on tour, Cobolli explained, “When I’m in the court I feel more comfortable. I feel more Flavio.”
- Looking ahead to his ambitions for the season, Cobolli confirmed, “My goal is to be in Turin and I’m trying with my best.”
Flavio Cobolli survived another grueling physical challenge at the US Open, securing a hard-fought second-round victory over Tristan Schoolkate in a five-set battle. Coming off a first-round comeback from two sets down, the Italian embraced the demanding conditions in New York to earn his place in the third round.
Assessing his performance following the marathon contest, Cobolli acknowledged both the high level of his opponent and the harsh elements on court. “Yeah, I think I played a great level today since the beginning of the match,” Cobolli said. “I think Tristan played unbelievable, so I’m happy with my performance. I’m happy for what I did in the court and how I managed the thing that happens also because it was really hot out there. So it’s really tough to play also because we play five sets.”
Overcoming fatigue and pulling off trick shots
Having already spent extensive time on court in the opening round, Cobolli was pleased with how well his body held up despite the heavy physical toll. He noted that the initial comeback gave him mental confidence, even if it risked leaving him depleted.
“I think I played a few hours in the first match. So gave me a lot of confidence also because I won from two set down,” he explained. “I think it helped me a lot for tennis. Maybe it not help me a lot for the shape for the body. But today I was really, really good also with the shape of my body. So I’m really proud for my recovery from the first match and now for what I did today.”
The match also featured a rare moment of improvisation when Cobolli produced a clean winner off a tweener. Asked about what crossed his mind during the execution, Cobolli admitted there was little premeditation involved.
“Nothing. It’s you have to do something because the ball comes very fast and I was a little prepared and I thought that it was the chance to have a winner with the tweener and I tried,” Cobolli said. Reflecting on his past attempts with the shot, he added: “I think I never tried on matches. Sometimes we tried a tweener but in the opposite side, you know. So maybe I tried twice in my life and today I tried for the third time and it was really good to see the ball land into the line. So I think I’m not going to try again for the next matches.”
Managing pressure and aiming for Turin
Cobolli also opened up about his relationship with expectations and stress, revealing that he feels far more at ease competing during intense rallies than he does off the court.
“The pressure that I says is always outside the court. When I’m in the court I feel more comfortable. I feel more Flavio,” he explained. “So I don’t feel a lot of pressure because I like to compete. I like to stay on court. I like to make this war in the court. So it’s very nice to have a pressure in the court, but sometimes I feel a little bit pressure outside the court because for what I did this year, for what I want to achieve and for what I want to do in my future.”
When asked directly about his targets for the remainder of the season, Cobolli was unequivocal about where his ambitions lie, stating: “For this year everybody knows my goal. I think it’s pretty easy that my goal is to be in Turin and I’m trying with my best.”
Relying on his kick serve and family support
A vital weapon in Cobolli’s arsenal throughout the contest was his heavy kick serve, a shot he traces back to his developmental years playing on clay.
“It’s something that I always had on my tennis. Also Tristan today he’s a good kicker and it was nice to you know be in court and try to have the best kick of the match,” Cobolli remarked. “We grew up on clay, so we usually to have more kick than flat serve. And now I’m very comfortable when I do a kick.”
Beyond technique, Cobolli credited the calming presence of his brother in his player’s box, highlighting the vital personal support he provides on tour.
“He’s always in the bench. He’s always with me. He love this life,” Cobolli said. “He like more to stay outside and be my first friends and I think he’s the most important people of my life. So we have a good relationship and it’s very important to have him on the bench and on the tour.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwpB0doeTd4
ATP U.S. Open - Flavio Cobolli's projected path
Cobolli at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2026
Currently the world no.6 (career-high), Flavio has achieved an overall 34-18 match record in 2026. The Italian is playing at the moment at the U.S. Open where he conquered the world no.119 Francisco Comesana 3-6 2-6 6-3 6-4 6-4 and the world no.180 Tristan Schoolkate 3-6 6-3 6-4 7-5.
Flavio Cobolli will fight against the world no.34 Alexander Blockx in the 3rd round. The head to head is 1-1.
Cobolli conquered 1 title in 2026 in Acapulco.
