Flavio Cobolli, the ninth seed at Wimbledon, has issued a public appeal for help in finding accommodation after an unexpected run to the quarterfinals.
Cobolli and his team are without lodging as their stay at the championships has extended beyond their initial plans. The Italian secured his place in the quarterfinals with a 7-5, 7-6, 6-3 victory over Alex de Minaur on No. 1 Court. He is scheduled to face British player Arthur Fery next.
During an on-court interview, the 24-year-old directly addressed the crowd, stating, "I hope that I can go early to the house. But first we have to find one because actually we don't have a house."
Players often opt to rent houses near the All England Club rather than stay in hotels, which allows for more private relaxation and the ability to prepare meals. Cobolli's current situation requires him to find a new place for himself and his team.
Cobolli also expressed a desire to find lodging in time to watch the World Cup match between Spain and Portugal. He mentioned that his father, Stefano, who also coaches him, has been a consistent presence during his tournament. The father-son duo has previously gained attention after Cobolli playfully threatened his father following a match win.
The match against De Minaur took place in challenging conditions, with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius. Play was temporarily halted twice due to spectators falling ill in the stands. Both players sought shade under the scoreboard while medical staff attended to affected fans before play resumed. Cobolli acknowledged that conserving energy had been a key focus during the match.
"I have been feeling tired on the Tour. I am very happy to reach the quarter-finals in three sets," Cobolli said. "Because it's very important to stay with the energy for the next round. This is so hot. We saw in the crowd. So thanks for coming. Thanks for staying here. I know that it's really hot and I appreciate it a lot. I'm so happy and proud of myself."
He also shared a moment of sportsmanship with his opponent, noting the mutual respect between them. "There's a lot of respect between us. I love him like a guy. I love how he plays. I don't love to play with him. But yeah a lot of respect," Cobolli commented.
Watching from the stands was De Minaur's fiancée, Katie Boulter, who had previously been eliminated from the women's singles draw.
After his victory, Cobolli celebrated with a distinctive jumping celebration before turning his attention to the immediate need of finding a place to stay. He is the first player from the bottom half of the men's draw to reach the quarterfinals and is preparing for his most significant match at Wimbledon to date.