Nicola Pietrangeli, the two-time French Open champion and one of Italy’s greatest-ever tennis players, has died at the age of 92, Italy’s tennis federation announced on Monday.

“Italian tennis is mourning an icon. Nicola Pietrangeli, the only Italian inducted into the World Tennis Hall of Fame, has died,” the Italian Tennis Federation (FITP) declared.

Born in Tunis in 1933 to an Italian father and a Russian mother, Pietrangeli commanded Italian tennis for decades and remained a towering figure until the rise of current stars like Jannik Sinner. He won the French Open in consecutive years, 1959 and 1960, and claimed 44 other singles titles over his career. Pietrangeli also reached the Wimbledon final the same year as his second Roland Garros title and lost French Open finals in 1961 and 1964 to Manuel Santana.

Tributes poured in from across the sport. “It is with deep sadness that we say goodbye to Nicola Pietrangeli, a true legend of Italian tennis… Ciao, Nicola,” said the organisers of the Italian Open, a tournament he won twice.

Pietrangeli was not only a remarkable singles player but also a Davis Cup stalwart. He played 164 matches for Italy and, as captain, led the nation to its first Davis Cup title in 1976, cementing his legacy as player and mentor. His long-standing contributions to Italian tennis extended well beyond his playing days, as he remained an ambassador for the sport.

Colleagues and generations of Italian players have lauded Pietrangeli for his artistry on clay and his passion for nurturing future talents. His passing marks the end of an era for Italian tennis and a moment of reflection on a career that helped place Italy on the global tennis map.