Flavio Cobolli is putting together the run of his life at the 2026 French Open, reaching the semifinals after defeating the fourth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 victory after three hours and 24 minutes.
As the 24-year-old Italian has powered his way into his maiden Grand Slam semifinal, he admitted there is a story behind his success: getting a little “crazy” with superstitions inspired by none other than the “King of Clay,” Rafael Nadal.
Flavio Cobolli Reveals His Rafael Nadal Superstition Story Behind French Open Run
After the opening set, Auger-Aliassime looked perfectly poised to win against Cobolli. However, windy weather in Paris forced the closure of the Philippe-Chatrier roof, changing the match’s trajectory. Cobolli took control of the rallies, hit eight aces, converted five of his ten break points, and secured a victory in four sets.
In the post-match presser, he was asked what he did as part of his superstitions, after admitting during the on-court interview that he doesn’t change the tension of the racket, even when conditions change. And the Italian revealed his routines during the biggest week of his career.
“I have a few, but I’m not crazy,” he said. This week, I’m a bit crazier than usual. I go to the same restaurant, the same menu, the same shower.”
He also detailed how one of those beliefs was influenced by 14-time French Open champion Nadal. “In fact, I think I said in the first interview that I use the same shower as Rafa because I had a memory of that shower where I tried to go look for him, and he called me, and I had to hurry because he was waiting for me. He told me it had been his shower for 14 years, so I think the best thing I’ve done is take a shower (laughs).”
Before his quarterfinal match, Cobolli even took the time to respectfully clean Nadal’s commemorative plaque on the Roland Garros grounds.
Cobolli’s rituals are just the latest chapter in tennis’s long history of obsessive pre-match habits. The man he is emulating, Nadal, is famous for his own routines. Nadal always took a cold shower exactly 45 minutes before a match, aligned his water bottles with the labels facing the court, refused to step on the court lines, and went through a sequence of touching his shoulders, nose, and ears before every serve. They helped him stay confident, and he went on to win 22 Grand Slams.
But it’s not just Nadal; Serena Williams bounced the ball exactly five times before her first serve and twice before her second serve. She also wore the same unwashed socks throughout a tournament run.
Former French pro Richard Gasquet used to demand the same tennis ball after he just won a point by serving with it. Former world No. 1 Björn Borg grew a “lucky beard” right before Wimbledon, refusing to shave until he was knocked out, and he won five straight titles in London.
Although they’re crazy, Cobolli’s routines have worked out well for him so far. He now looks ahead to a historic all-Italian semifinal against Matteo Arnaldi.
