Fans Question Flavio Cobolli’s Decision to Sit Next to Sick Matteo Arnaldi Before French Open Final- “Why in God’s Name They’re in the Same Room?”

Matteo Arnaldi‘s Roland Garros campaign ended in a disappointing fashion. On Friday (June 5), the Italian ace, due to a viral illness, handed the walkover to compatriot Flavio Cobolli in the semifinals.

Both Arnaldi and Cobolli reached the semifinals of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time. Cobolli came from a set down to knock out Felix Auger-Aliassime, but Arnaldi received the walkover from compatriot Matteo Berrettini during the second set.

I had a fever too during the day. I can’t move, I can’t eat, I can’t drink. There was no way I would be able to play. I feel sorry for all the fans.

Matteo Arnaldi said at the press conference after his withdrawal

Arnaldi and Cobolli sat next to each other in a joint press conference. Cobolli said when Arnaldi told him about his decision to pull out, he “almost cried“. This is the first time in a Major since Rafael Nadal‘s withdrawal from the 2022 Wimbledon that a player pulled out of a semifinal. Nadal did so against Nick Kyrgios, who reached his career’s first Grand Slam final, only to lose to Novak Djokovic in four sets.

In the final, Cobolli will be locking horns with Alexander Zverev, also a former French Open runner-up. Zverev lost to seven-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz in the final in 2024.

Sascha is a three-time Grand Slam finalist. After losing the 2020 US Open final to Dominic Thiem and the 2024 French Open final to Alcaraz, the 29-year-old lost to Jannik Sinner in the final of last year’s Australian Open.

Fans question why Flavio Cobolli sat next to Matteo Arnaldi in the press conference

Because Matteo Arnaldi suffered from a viral illness, fans are left wondering why Roland Garros held a joint press conference. They are questioning why Flavio Cobolli, despite knowing he would be playing a Grand Slam final and that he could catch the virus, risked sitting next to Arnaldi.

Check out their reactions here:

It's insane to put Cobolli and Arnaldi in the same room when the latter is withdrawing from the tournament from a virus! Did we not just go through a pandemic?? PSA viruses can be airborne #RolandGarros https://t.co/T3I2H1mTzo

— islandtennisgirl (@islandtennisace) June 5, 2026

I need someone to explain to me exactly how and why Flavio is in the same room as him when it’s been said that it’s a viral illness… #RolandGarros #Cobolli #Arnaldi https://t.co/QNufv2vB7y

— Matts (@lol_matts) June 5, 2026

Honestly if only Arnaldi got fresh air, watched Mickey Mouse and slept rather than holding a joint press conference when he had a viral illness.

— Tennis Weekly Podcast (@tennisweeklypod) June 5, 2026

sloane stephens is totally right, if it’s a viral illness then why in god’s name are arnaldi and cobolli in the same room for a press conference? socially distanced or not.

— 🎾nebby🎾 (@1gamesetmatch) June 5, 2026

So Arnaldi withdraws from the French Open while dealing with a virus and the first thing they do is stick him in the same room as Cobolli who is now in the finals against Zverev. Genius pic.twitter.com/7P88iHfglm

— Eric Hubbs (@BarstoolHubbs) June 5, 2026

So.. Arnaldi couldn’t play the semi cuz he got a viral illness, and RG made him AND COBOLLI, THE LUCKY WINNER, be part of a joint press conference!? The fuck!? https://t.co/mrcopquqeX

— 🥑 Michelle (@beingmich) June 5, 2026

È curioso vedere Arnaldi, colpito da un virus fulminante, nella stessa stanza con Cobolli. Va detto che sono piuttosto distanziati tra loro ma non sarebbe stato meglio evitare? https://t.co/YuMqfVtIuL

— Il sogno del Peccatore (@TheSinnersDrea1) June 5, 2026

Due to the symptoms he had, including cold and fever, Arnaldi thinks he has a virus, so perhaps it was not a great idea to bring Cobolli in a joint presser .. https://t.co/YKouvcjK7z

— Kelvin Gray 🗺 (@0try) June 5, 2026

Watch video Everyone …arnaldi said he didn't think it was food poisoning…it's a virus …then Sloane Stephens says why is he around others if he is sick. Sad. See players sick every tournament….sad. hope the finals are healthy …😷 pic.twitter.com/7szPN1Cizu

— mark warling (@markwarling3) June 5, 2026

Cobolli had played just one Grand Slam quarterfinal before this French Open (in last year’s Wimbledon). Zverev, before securing the match against the 24-year-old, knocked out Jakub Mensik‘s run.

Andre Agassi backs Flavio Cobolli to beat Alexander Zverev

En route to the final, Cobolli dropped just two sets, against Zachary Svajda in the fourth round and against Auger-Aliassime in the quarterfinal. Zverev also dropped a set twice, against Quentin Halys in the third round and against Mensik in the semifinals.

The World No.3 holds a 3-1 head-to-head record over Cobolli. They have already met twice this year. Cobolli defeated him in the semifinals of the Munich Open, while Zverev clinched the win in their last match, in the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open. Andre Agassi, during TNT Sports’ broadcast, backed Cobolli to emerge victorious.

If there is something that can sow doubts in someone’s mind, it is the fact that you lost to this person the last time you played on the same surface. It is true that Munich is a bit faster; it will be a bit more difficult to prevail over Sascha with the slower and heavier conditions, but obviously, Cobolli has the necessary power to do so. I think he has the chance to make this a memorable final. Without a doubt, he will make Zverev feel that he has to earn it.

Cobolli has won one title this season, the Mexican Open by beating Frances Tiafoe, and later lost the Munich Open final to Ben Shelton. Zverev, however, has yet to win a title since the 2025 Munich Open.

Also read: Venus Williams Backs Maja Chwalinska to Complete Fairytale Run at Roland Garros: “It’s Definitely a Cinderella Story”