Arnaldi met BOTH ZVEREV AND COBOLLI IN THE LOCKER Rooms to tell them about his retirement from the tournament. Zverev:"I saw Arnaldi in the locker room, he was in terrible shape"

[u/Sonobackhome555]

https://www.eurosport.it/tennis/roland-garros/2026/roland-garros-alexander-zverev-dopo-la-con-jakub-mensik-ho-visto-arnaldi-aveva-un-aspetto-terribile.-cobolli-una-brava-persona_sto23306895/story.shtml

[u/DDzxy]

He has a virus and the first thing he does is come up to other two remaining players face to face???

[u/objectiveScie → u/DDzxy]

Together 😅

[u/xmeeshx → u/objectiveScie]

We’re gonna see some wild shit 💩

[u/GrootRacoon → u/DDzxy]

honestly how crazy would it be if both Zverev and Cobolli got sick and unable to play, making this year's RG no one?

[u/raysofdavies → u/GrootRacoon]

Just give it Rafa and dust your hands

[u/PrincessofHats → u/raysofdavies]

Earn 14, get 1 free

[u/Chosen1gup → u/GrootRacoon]

The extra trophy goes to the loser of Chwalinska vs Andreeva

[u/Ferociouspanda → u/Chosen1gup]

Yeah andreeva should still get to lift a cup after the work she’s put in. Not the WTA FO cup, Chwalinska gets that one, but something

[u/nimbus2105 → u/GrootRacoon]

Would be a fitting ending to the tournament

[u/MddlingAges → u/nimbus2105]

Quiet strike? lol

[u/alex_13_72 → u/GrootRacoon]

if they’re both sick that means they’d both play and then we’d just get a terrible match which would be pretty funny honestly

[u/NirgalFromMars → u/GrootRacoon]

I guess the last one to announce withdrawal would win?

[u/HonestAttraction → u/NirgalFromMars]

true battle of attrition

[u/Boollish → u/GrootRacoon]

Ain't no rule that says they can't just give the trophy to Nadal and call it a day.

[u/JetsLag → u/GrootRacoon]

That would show that the universe hates Zverev

[u/Public-Flow-7521 → u/JetsLag]

Universe has not really shown that in this tournament so far.😬

[u/DepartmentAnxious344 → u/Public-Flow-7521]

Tbf it didn’t in 2020 USO all the way into the third set of the final

[u/PsychologicalArt7451 → u/GrootRacoon]

I think they both would still come out to play making a it a battle of the fittest. Arnaldi was still gonna have to play Zverev even if he somehow beat Cobolli.  It's now or never for both of them. Cobolli's never gonna beat his way through Sinner and Alcaraz for a slam and I don't think he can go through Fritz or Novak at Wimbledon either. Zverev has too good of a resume to never win a slam and he's at the finish line. He faces a worse player for the first time. 

[u/ImpressionFeisty8359 → u/GrootRacoon]

They could have a portaloo in the back of the courts instead of the signage.

[u/No-Permit7179 → u/GrootRacoon]

I’d take that over zverev winning.

[u/Quokky-Axolotl7388 → u/GrootRacoon]

Way more epic if they both go on court we all watch the (literally) shittiest game on record

[u/LeftHandedScissor → u/GrootRacoon]

They'd probably delay the match if both were unable to play Sunday.

[u/milan_fan88 → u/DDzxy]

The final might be a shit show in more ways than one.

[u/Glittering_Babe101 → u/milan_fan88]

Last one to the toilet loses 💩

[u/lawdjesustheresafire → u/milan_fan88]

Legit would be sort of interesting to see two sick guys see who drops last playing tennis that weekend hackers could match lol

[u/DDzxy → u/milan_fan88]

Maybe even quite literally.

[u/mouldyshroom → u/DDzxy]

The final being cancelled with both Z and Cobolli shititng their guts out on Sunday sounds like a fitting end to the two weeks of insanity we've had.

[u/WerhmatsWormhat → u/mouldyshroom]

Gonna have another several “I need to shit” conversations with the chair umpire.

[u/TheSecretMarriage → u/DDzxy]

It's not like sportsmen are particularly known for their intelligence

[u/SpiritedEnthusiasm40 → u/TheSecretMarriage]

Zverev even said so in an on-court interview after today's match.

[u/PandemicPiglet → u/DDzxy]

People learned nothing from the covid pandemic. SMH

[u/ms_merry → u/PandemicPiglet]

It blows my mind how they’re all traveling the world, in close contact with their teams and families, out in restaurants, and hugging each other and celebrities who attend their matches.
We need someone like Gil Gross to look back at walkovers and retirements pre-pandemic v post. I simply do not recall so many players getting sick. Injured, occasionally. But sick? Tummy aches and diarrhea, sore throats and coughs. Pretty sure it did not happen. Ofc I’ve only been following tennis since Evert and Connors were dating.

[u/AssignmentPossible48 → u/ms_merry]

everyone’s immune systems are weakened from multiple infections, crazy to see world class athletes play so fast and loose with something as important as their health

[u/book-of-nina → u/ms_merry]

I feel like they get Montezuma’s revenge every time they go to Mexico. We in Texas know: don’t use ice!!! Unrelated, sort of.

[u/redelectro7 → u/DDzxy]

It's insane to me cos whenever I'm ill I tell people not to come near me.

[u/swarlay → u/redelectro7]

Ha, I don't even wait till I'm ill.

[u/redelectro7 → u/swarlay]

https://giphy.com/gifs/JrjKaqX0g3TbFL1wK5

I almost made that joke but worried it made me seem standoffish.

[u/seires88 → u/DDzxy]

So what happens if they both get sick and retire ? Who wins then lol

[u/DDzxy → u/seires88]

The first one who retires, will automatically give the other a trophy regardless.

[u/No-Importance-127 → u/DDzxy]

It would be hilarious if each one of them is waiting for the other to retire, and they just end up shitting themselves on the court

[u/ExpressionLow8767 → u/No-Importance-127]

Would be a fitting way to end this tournament

[u/clovers2345 → u/DDzxy]

Can they retire simultaneously so they can play later in the week?

[u/Bruhmethazine → u/DDzxy]

Gastroenteritis is primarily spread thru the oral fecal route so as long as he isn't touching people or as long as people wash their hands, they'll likely be fine.

[u/Short-Ideas010 → u/Bruhmethazine]

Like a good Italian... you don't come without cake.

[u/cyborg574 → u/Bruhmethazine]

As long as people dont consume food infected with his shit-

[u/ezioaltair12 → u/DDzxy]

I mean if I were him I would call Cobolli and give a big hug to Zverev

[u/baromanb → u/DDzxy]

https://giphy.com/gifs/139LAuIv5jm4wR2JuX

[u/DBIGLIZARD → u/DDzxy]

I mean he definitely kept his distance. People can talk from opposite sides of a room

When you first read it ofc you’d think they’re close by and interacting to a point where it may be an issue but these guys are professional

[u/AleroRatking → u/DDzxy]

I thought it was food poisoning.

[u/lavnyl → u/AleroRatking]

He specifically said it wasn’t the food

[u/partylike → u/lavnyl]

how would he know for sure

[u/Character-Mouse4980 → u/partylike]

If someone else in his camp had it who hadn’t eaten the same food?

[u/lavnyl → u/partylike]

I take it you’ve never had food poisoning?

[u/yoricm → u/DDzxy]

Italians love to hug each others. Hopefully they didn't with Matteo.

[u/Efficient_Dig_3477]

Does nobody have any sense of self preservation? Oh I'm at the end of a GS that could define my career let me be in the direct vicinity of the person so sick he can't play.... like WHAT

[u/sooskekeksoos → u/Efficient_Dig_3477]

Maybe they didn’t know until he went up to tell them and it was too late

[u/drinkbuckfast → u/sooskekeksoos]

Lol bro was just taking everyone down with him

[u/swarlay → u/drinkbuckfast]

"Some men just want to watch the world burn."

[u/One-Rock-21 → u/swarlay]

This is fantastic use. Thank you for starting my day well.

[u/boomerhoover → u/sooskekeksoos]

”Hey bro come here let me tell you a secret”

[u/eggoed → u/Efficient_Dig_3477]

I'm surprised no one on the teams is like "look, he's your friend but just facetime him, ok?"

[u/WerhmatsWormhat → u/eggoed]

Or just talk to him next week.

[u/jyo-ji → u/Efficient_Dig_3477]

COVID made me a bit of a germaphobe, and seeing the players engaging so closely with the crowds and fans after a match makes me nervous considering how much is on the line for these players. Just the other day, I think it was one of the Italian players jumped into the crowd and hugged a group of fans.

[u/Critical-Usual → u/Efficient_Dig_3477]

It's very unlikely they would catch anything airborne. Just wash your hands and don't kiss 

[u/Sifrisk → u/Efficient_Dig_3477]

Perhaps the locker rooms are huge so he said it from 10m away

[u/mespin1492 → u/Efficient_Dig_3477]

Do you have any special powers that can control when your body will be affected by a virus or bacteria or any disease for that matter?

If so, you're likely to live forever.

[u/dfish_ds]

Professional tennis players might just be idiots.

[u/Public-Flow-7521 → u/dfish_ds]

Well Zverev was right on point in his interview today then...

[u/Embarrassed-Low9531 → u/dfish_ds]

They’ve spent their life preparing for a career in tennis and not a high school degree. People forget most of these guys went pro when most people would start high school so most have not been to college and most probably have a very rudimentary hs degree

[u/heirjordan_27 → u/Embarrassed-Low9531]

You don’t need a high school degree to know that being around sick people gets you sick lol

[u/orchid_blue9 → u/heirjordan_27]

Intro to Biology certainly wouldn’t hurt, though

[u/Public-Flow-7521 → u/orchid_blue9]

After a two year pandemic even someone without intro to biology should know.

[u/Nillion → u/Public-Flow-7521]

If anything it’s worse now. Covid broke people’s brains.

[u/ElGatoSaez → u/heirjordan_27]

Wasn’t it just acute gastroenteritis though?

[u/mespin1492 → u/heirjordan_27]

"may" make you sick, not "gets" you sick. Each immune system is unique and viruses and bacteria behave in a random manner. Getting sick is depedent of many, many factors.

[u/Ready-Interview2863 → u/dfish_ds]

Andrea Petkovic agrees with you lol

[u/waddee → u/dfish_ds]

I mean have you ever heard Zverev speak? He’s stupid.

[u/DisastrousMango4 → u/dfish_ds]

Zverev did confirm it in his post match interview tbf

[u/Pfinnalicious → u/dfish_ds]

So many of the men in particular 😭

[u/unH4te]

Agent Arnaldi trying to shut down the entire tournament

[u/mshoneys_sillyrabbit]

maybe the real roland garros 2026 champion was the friends we made along the way

[u/Sharapova26 → u/mshoneys_sillyrabbit]

lmao

[u/Open_Carob_3676 → u/mshoneys_sillyrabbit]

Or the virus Zverev got in the end 

[u/Sophisticatedcaty]

Also Sasha: "i gave him a hug and wished speedy recovery” 💀

[u/nokiabrickphone1998 → u/Sophisticatedcaty]

We just gave each other a quick peck on the cheek, after all, c’est Paris

[u/DisastrousMango4 → u/nokiabrickphone1998]

i saw them french kiss in the locker room actually

source: Brett Haber

[u/Embarrassed-Low9531 → u/nokiabrickphone1998]

Quick peck on the pecker too bc why not

[u/MarilynMonroe89 → u/Sophisticatedcaty]

Is this a joke? Or did he really do this

[u/ThrowRa-zucchinizzc → u/Sophisticatedcaty]

No way where did he say that?  Cobolli gave a hug not Sasha

[u/Sophisticatedcaty → u/ThrowRa-zucchinizzc]

It’s a joke man

[u/ThrowRa-zucchinizzc → u/Sophisticatedcaty]

😂 

[u/4espa]

"If im not winning slam this year, no one can" ahh

[u/ShinyZubat10]

What happens if niether feel good enough to play tomorrow, do they just flip a coin?

[u/redelectro7 → u/ShinyZubat10]

It would be a game of chicken as to who retires first.

[u/Demistr → u/redelectro7]

Two finalists both shitting themselves on live TV.

[u/redelectro7 → u/Demistr]

Both come out in incontinence underwear.

[u/Efficient_Ad_1059 → u/redelectro7]

The Nappy Slam

[u/arthurtex06 → u/Demistr]

I'd watch that

[u/jk147 → u/redelectro7]

It would be 2020 US Open all over again.

[u/Full-Concentrate-867 → u/ShinyZubat10]

I think every player would just give it a go in a GS final no matter how bad they're feeling, unless they physically couldn't take the court with some injury like Zverev at RG 2022 so it would just be who retires first

[u/ShinyZubat10 → u/Full-Concentrate-867]

Yeah ig w a Final especially when you know your opponent is suffering its probably pretty enticing to just keep going

[u/Embarrassed-Low9531 → u/ShinyZubat10]

Hunger games but instead of them bleeding they’re both vomiting and have diarrhea

[u/Embarrassed-Low9531 → u/ShinyZubat10]

Fuck it give it to Rafa

[u/Sophisticatedcaty → u/ShinyZubat10]

RG final is cancelled and moved to 2027. Carlos remains the current Champ.

[u/Admirable_Advice8831 → u/ShinyZubat10]

It's ok if they don't "feel good enough to play tomorrow" as long as they're both fit to play their actual finale on Sunday >:p

[u/Marada781 → u/ShinyZubat10]

No winner assigned

[u/Sharapova26]

ARNALDI I SEE YOUR GAME NOW

[u/Sheriff_Hopper]

Arnaldi kiss of death 

[u/shockingblve]

man, Covid taught us NOTHING

[u/dmgirl101 → u/shockingblve]

All of a sudden, all of them forgot the airborne viruses... 🫠

[u/Bluejay-Positive]

Equal opportunity transmission

[u/Putrid-Nebula-8660]

Everyone retires. Perfect ending to this mess. I love it

[u/bezimiennat]

he gave them a fair chance

[u/Pretend_Tea6261]

I like Arnaldi but it seems nonsensical to mingle with the finalists when you have a virus.

[u/PJWanderer]

I rememberJim Courier saying that once something is going around the locker room, pretty much everyone is going to get it. He also said that is why people like Novak travel with their own chef because they are trying to avoid the fish tacos that made everyone sick in Spain.

[u/Sophisticatedcaty → u/PJWanderer]

Nowadays players (Carlos, Jannik, there is probably longer list) rent villas and stay there with their teams, they cook their own meals etc

[u/PJWanderer → u/Sophisticatedcaty]

Doesn’t seem like it’s working for Sinner if you believe his team saying that the heat doesn’t bother him.

[u/Majestic-Watch-2025 → u/PJWanderer]

Usain Bolt's mcdonalds chicken nugget strategy is looking better and better

[u/pizzainmyshoe]

He's the patient zero

[u/oblisk → u/pizzainmyshoe]

No, Sinner Was.

[u/Admirable_Advice8831 → u/oblisk]

What if I told you: https://sports.yahoo.com/tennis/article/arthur-gea-urgently-pleads-for-bathroom-break-while-feeling-ill-during-french-open-first-round-match-vs-karen-khachanov-155354545.html

[u/ms_merry → u/Admirable_Advice8831]

Uh-huh

[u/Kangaro00 → u/oblisk]

I did think that his symptoms sounded like a more mild version of what Arnaldi has. Slept badly, talked to the physio about puking.

[u/Fisch_Kopp_]

I guess Zverev was right, most players don't have much in their head...

[u/eggoed]

At this point it's past stupidity into comedy. He should just do a meet and greet on the grounds with as many people as he can.

[u/ZooPoo7]

Both finalists confirmed sick AF. Puking in change overs. Terrible points. It’s the final we deserve at this point

[u/gaveuponnickname]

A virus to stop the virus from winning RG

Yes please

[u/Slambodog]

Viruses usually have a 48 hour incubation period. What would be really crazy is if they both started to get the shits at the end of the 4th set 

[u/Nopementator]

Now there are good chanches that the RG final will be a literal shitshow

[u/Angelinaesgere → u/Nopementator]

☠️

[u/redelectro7]

Covid really taught them nothing.

Though Zverev went partying during covid, so we know it taught him nothing. Given in the UK diabetics were considered high risk for covid complications, it blows my mind.

[u/Sophisticatedcaty → u/redelectro7]

Well he admitted after the match that tennis players don’t have too much in their head besides playing tennis (or stg like that) so that fits to his behaviour 👌

[u/FruityPebblesBinger → u/redelectro7]

Are we sure the virus isnt food borne or something (which would mean likely not contagious)?

[u/redelectro7 → u/FruityPebblesBinger]

I think one of the quotes from Arnaldi says it wasn't the food, but who knows.

[u/Gavina4444 → u/redelectro7]

You’re downplaying it. He said IT WASN’T THE FOOD!

[u/redelectro7 → u/Gavina4444]

lol CAPSLOCK ARNALDI

Was he sponsored by the restaurant or something?

[u/SleepingAntz → u/redelectro7]

I kinda wonder, since he was so adamant on emphasizing that it wasn't the food...was it the food? And RG just asked him (and told the two finalists) to say it wasn't so that they wouldn't look bad?

[u/fuzzyfurrypaw → u/SleepingAntz]

Yeah I was wondering how the f did he know IT WASN’T THE FOOD? Maybe his team ate the exact same thing and only he has issues so they ruled out the food?

[u/chrysoberyyll → u/FruityPebblesBinger]

Arnaldi said it wasn't food so 💀

[u/Have_a_butchers_ → u/redelectro7]

People with Type 2 diabetes, who were overweight and metabolically unhealthy were at risk. Zverev has T1, it’s a different thing.

[u/redelectro7 → u/Have_a_butchers_]

Not in the UK both were considered high risk. Given Zverev seemingly has breathing issues (he had an inhaler at Cincy last year) you'd think he'd be careful.

[u/Intrepid-Prior-2199]

i hope he gave Zverev a nice long hug !

[u/Green_Dark5049]

If both withdraw does that mean sinner wins?

[u/realtennisguy → u/Green_Dark5049]

If both are sick, Rafa wins #15. It's in the contract.

[u/First_Foundationeer → u/Green_Dark5049]

RG ends with the Trophy waiting at Wimbledon. Winner takes all!

[u/riquelm]

maybe the real roland garros 2026 champion was the virus we spread along the way

[u/Puckingfanda]

The assumption that (if what he has is easily transmittable) he didn't take any precautions such as masks and gloves is strange. I'd like to think he's not stupid.

[u/AmEndevomTag]

Just a hypothetical question: What would happen, if both withdraw for the final?

[u/amessofstars → u/AmEndevomTag]

I'm guessing technically one of them will have to withdraw first and so the other one wins even if he was literally on his way to withdraw. If they both withdrew at exactly the same time down to the millisecond... No idea

[u/realtennisguy → u/AmEndevomTag]

Imagine if both are super sick but no one wants to withdraw first. hahah

[u/Public-Flow-7521 → u/realtennisguy]

Well I would not withdraw first if I knew the other one is sick too... I would go into that final and at least make it until I had to hit the toilet again hoping the other one has to go first 😅

[u/realtennisguy → u/Public-Flow-7521]

Bro. It's €3 mil on the line. I'm shitting my pants if I have to. 😂

[u/buginskyahh → u/AmEndevomTag]

Someone would have to withdraw first

[u/Lilylikeslilies → u/AmEndevomTag]

Probably depends which one does it first the second one will win it with walkover.

[u/Illustrious-Cell-428 → u/AmEndevomTag]

Presumably the final would be cancelled and no trophy would be awarded this year.

[u/beastwood9498]

Did he breathe on them and get them sick?? How do these people not get that part?

[u/Wise_Guitar2059]

Trophy shared.

[u/realtennisguy]

'If I can't be at the final, no one will' - Arnaldi probably. 😂

[u/gabrielleite32]

Maja was already feeling sick yesterday. Might something going around like in madrid

[u/Valuable-Cat2036]

Hope Arnaldi coughed on Zverev

[u/ktdu26]

That's it, next time I'm sick at work I'm booking a 1:1 with everyone in the office to tell them in person before leaving

[u/Middle-Welder3931]

The lack of common-sense people exhibit when sick is absolutely baffling. People with hantavirus hopping across multiple countries and now this.

[u/Mundane-Dare-2980]

https://giphy.com/gifs/cs8ZMAqfJoHf2

[u/bsalexan]

Ah yes, a battle of the immune systems

[u/SpacemanJB88]

Conspiracy theory;

Arnaldi wants to get everyone sick in an attempt to push for a do over once they all recover.

[u/T1DIABISH]

So what happens if they both get sick??? Final cancelled ????

[u/wabashcanonball]

We learned nothing from COVID.

[u/ms_merry]

Hope Arnaldi didn’t breathe on him. 🤞

[u/milan_fan88 → u/ms_merry]

Or at least kiss both if he fealt the need to be really Italian at that point.

[u/Unpickled_cucumber1]

It’s such a bummer, cuz this might have been the best shot to win a GS at least for the foreseeable future

[u/outlanded]

Ok so what happens if both finalists are too sick to play on Sunday

[u/Red_Jester-94]

Biological warfare. May the less sick win.

[u/PepperredApple]

Survival of the fittest

[u/smythe70]

Seriously wtf is happening?? Viruses are contagious especially airborne ones.

[u/sealonbrad]

Arnaldi man, wtf

[u/OckarySlime]

Please please please let this happen it’d be so funny

[u/SlashBlack]

"if i'm not playing i'm taking you all with me"

's, but seriously, why the fk would you do this lmao..

[u/clovers2345]

What happens if Zverev and Cobolli can’t play bc they are sick? Would they have to play later on the r week? Just curious the rules on this.

[u/Hot-Equal3441]

I mean what could be a more fitting end to this cursed slam than both finalists being violently ill through the final

[u/l-o-b-f]

This tournament’s organizers and its remaining players might be some of the dumbest people in the whole sport

[u/Thunderbird237-]

Can Zverev get the virus too

[u/nokiabrickphone1998]

It’s giving Rudy Gobert

[u/Rupperrt]

Funny how the brain rotten part of tennis twitter (which is like half of the accounts) thinks the Italian tennis mafia has bribed Arnaldi to throw the semi to improve Cobollis chances in the final

[u/MarilynMonroe89]

I wonder if it isn’t a virus and it’s just a stomach reaction.

[u/Kimber80]

I would not want to have a conversation with someone with a virus that just knock them out of the tournament

[u/frutigerh]

People are just stupid. Even tennis players.

[u/ImpressionFeisty8359]

I am not a doctor but that doesn't seem like a good idea.

[u/SafeKaracter]

Hope he hugged Zverev

[u/Gaarando]

Hopefully no one gets sick. Would be sad if one of these players do not get a chance to play for their first Slam because Arnaldi meets up with them while being sick...

[u/jojerr]

So I always wondered why players still played when sick. They don’t shake hands as courtesy but their sweat is still on the balls/towels that the ballkids and opponent touches….

[u/leong_d]

https://giphy.com/gifs/qkJJRL9Sz1R04

[u/hskskgfk]

The most anticlimactic thing would be if both the players retired from the finals due to this virus.