Tennis: Italy is chasing its first Hopman Cup in Bari: everyone's crazy about Cobolli.

Flavio Cobolli is the grand winner of the 2025 edition of the Hopman Cup, which is coming to Italy for the first time and, another first, sees the Azzurri vying for the final victory. He won before taking to the court for the third time in five days, this evening. But he didn't win because he showed up here, at the Fiera del Levante, with the beautiful calling card of a quarterfinal at the "temple" of Wimbledon, including a fantastic battle against a tennis legend like Nole Djokovic. Nor because the grass-court season catapulted him into the world's top 20, a feat not many have deserved in the long history of Italian tennis. Cobolli made the difference with his attitude, with how he approached this adventure. From the first second he arrived in Bari, it was clear he wasn't here out of "duty." He took it as a mission, to defend the Azzurri jersey, always and no matter what. Respect for commitments made, the sacredness of a handshake. Flavio was a true driving force of the event. On and off the field.

Puglia is a bit like home for him. And he hasn't hidden it, quite the opposite. "This land is particularly dear to me," the words of the Tuscan tennis player, who is now Roman by adoption, "because I spent so many holidays here with my family (in Gallipoli, to be precise, ed.) and I experienced a tournament here that will forever remain in my memory, the Open at Selva di Fasano. My father Stefano (a former international tennis player, ed.) played it, and I remember my first encounters with a racket in Fasano. In fact, I didn't miss the opportunity to return to Selva and relive those fantastic moments. These people know how to radiate warmth. I had no doubt they would be the extra man in these matches. Both Lucia and I took everything we had, and we want to share our victories with this fantastic crowd, which, I'm sure, will be large and enthusiastic on the day of the final as well."

Cobolli is also a special guy. He's a famous athlete, probably destined for the top 10, but his eyes are still those of simplicity, always and in every way. Ambitious, yes. But humble, as only good guys can be. Here in Bari, the other evening, Flavio also showed us his sensitivity. His "style," too. After winning the decisive point against France, Cobolli stood at center court, microphone in hand, and took on the role of emotional leader. A tribute to a champion like Gasquet, calling the crowd to a deserved ovation. What a power, the Frenchman. A delight to behold. "I've always admired him, an inspiration to anyone with his talent. And also, an exceptional person," thought the Italian. Then the apotheosis. "If I'm here today, if I'm a professional tennis player today, it's thanks to that gentleman sitting in the stands. His name is Fabio Fognini," Flavio said, his eyes welling up with tears before bursting into a sweet cry. "He's always been a source of inspiration, he was an idol for me," and the center court player at the Fiera explodes into a soccer chant that shakes the relaxed "Fogna" between his children and his wife Flavia Pennetta, another true legend of Italian tennis. It's a truly emotional moment. Behind these ball-throwing machines are men of substance. And Cobolli, in this sense, is already on a virtuous path. The boy next door who moves the crowds without ever losing his "balance" and sense of proportion. Flavio, the Italian now tattooed in the hearts of fans. Starting tomorrow, here in Puglia, many will "accompany him" in every athlete's dream: winning Grand Slams and aiming for "nobility."

Italy is a "team." From the Davis Cup to the "Billie Jean King Cup," all the way to this "Hopman Cup," which, regardless of the result of today's final (starting at 5:30 p.m. with the match between Bronzetti and Andreescu, followed by Cobolli against Auger Aliassime and, last but not least , the mixed doubles match that could prove decisive), is destined to leave its mark, much to the delight of Tennium and the ITF, the signatures of a five-day event rich in meaning. Cobolli and Bronzetti started from a good foundation. Namely, an already strong relationship. Friday evening, everything was on display on court. From the smiles to the complicity. Flavio almost protective, Lucia willing to push just to feel up to the task, even the accelerations of the super Gasquet. Italy is now an example to the world. And not just thanks to that "cannibal" Sinner. We're a role model now. Everyone's watching us, and it's a fantastic feeling. Yes, the Azzurri are the favorites again today. Sure, there'll be running and chasing, falling and getting back up. But today Italy is playing to win. In a summer that already has its sights set on American hard courts. It'll be a bubbly season, for sure. With the Italian flag ready to wave again.