Italy is mourning the loss of a true sporting icon, as Nicola Pietrangeli, the nation’s first Grand Slam champion, has died at the age of 92, as ESPN reports.

The Italian Tennis and Padel Federation announced his passing on Monday, marking the end of an era for a player whose feats on the court inspired generations and whose records stood tall until modern stars like Jannik Sinner came along.

Born in Tunis to an Italian father and a Russian mother, Pietrangeli’s journey began far from the clay courts of Rome but would soon make him a household name in his ancestral homeland.

Early Triumphs on Global Stage

By 1957, Pietrangeli had already shown his prowess, reaching the quarterfinals at the Australian Open and clinching the Italian Open title at the Foro Italico, a venue that would later honor him in a profound way.

His defining moment came in 1959 when he became the first Italian to win a Grand Slam, capturing the French Open singles title and pairing with Orlando Sirola to take the doubles crown that same year.

He defended his Roland Garros singles title in 1960, a feat that cemented his status as a titan of the sport, long before the progressive agendas of today’s sports world started shifting focus from pure talent to social narratives.

Unmatched Records and Davis Cup Legacy

Pietrangeli’s dominance wasn’t just in Grand Slams; he reached the Wimbledon semifinals in 1960 and was runner-up at the French Open in 1961 and 1964, both times falling to Spain’s Manuel Santana.

His Davis Cup records are staggering, with the most total wins and singles victories, playing 164 matches across 66 ties for Italy with a singles record of 78-32 and a doubles mark of 42-12.

Together with Sirola, he formed the most successful Davis Cup doubles duo, winning 34 of 42 matches, though as a player, he led Italy to the final twice only to lose to a formidable Australian squad featuring Rod Laver and Roy Emerson.

Leadership and Controversial Decisions

Beyond playing, Pietrangeli’s leadership shone as captain when Italy won the Davis Cup in 1976, guiding a talented roster including Adriano Panatta and Corrado Barazzutti to a historic victory over Chile during a dictatorship’s reign.

Despite calls for Italy to boycott the trip due to political unrest, Pietrangeli pushed for participation, a decision that might raise eyebrows in today’s overly cautious, virtue-signaling climate but ultimately brought home the trophy.

“Without me, Italy would have not traveled to that final and we wouldn’t have won,” Pietrangeli once declared, a bold claim that underscores his belief in sport transcending political posturing.

Humility Amid Historic Wins

Reflecting on his 1960 French Open triumph, Pietrangeli quipped, “I won $150 for the 1960 title, which covered two months rent for my home in Rome,” a stark reminder of an era when athletic glory wasn’t drowned in corporate sponsorships and inflated payouts.

His wit shone through in tales of camaraderie, like losing a bet to Santana in 1964 and footing the bill for a lavish dinner that wiped out his tournament earnings, a story that paints a picture of sportsmanship over today’s obsession with personal branding.

Pietrangeli’s legacy endures at the Foro Italico, where he won the Italian Open in 1957 and 1961 -- beating Laver in the latter final -- and where the Pallacorda court was renamed Stadio Pietrangeli in 2006, a fitting tribute to a man who wished his funeral be held there.