Overview
- Matteo Arnaldi withdrew Saturday about 25 minutes before his scheduled semifinal at Roland Garros after reporting a viral illness that caused vomiting, dizziness and an inability to eat or drink, and Flavio Cobolli advanced to face Alexander Zverev by walkover.
- Arnaldi told media he vomited during the night, could not keep down food or fluids despite a doctor visit and prescribed medicine, and felt too dizzy to compete.
- Coverage highlighted Arnaldi’s heavy tournament workload, reporting roughly 19 hours and 42 minutes on court including multiple five‑set matches, which commentators said can weaken recovery and raise susceptibility to illness.
- Former champions split publicly over the decision, with Andre Agassi questioning the withdrawal on live TV and Andy Roddick defending Arnaldi by describing how fatigue and sickness can linger; Agassi’s remarks drew criticism from fans.
- The walkover alters the Roland Garros draw with Cobolli facing Zverev in the final, raises questions about Arnaldi’s short‑term recovery and spotlights how late‑stage withdrawals remain rare in Grand Slams, most recently compared to Rafael Nadal’s 2022 Wimbledon exit.