ROME — A whole bunch of individuals paid their ultimate respects to Nicola Pietrangeli days after the tennis nice died at age 92.
A public viewing of Pietrangeli’s physique and a short memorial service have been held Wednesday on the tennis court docket that was named after him. A non-public funeral was deliberate later in Rome.
In 2006, the statue-lined Pallacorda court docket on the Foro Italico — thought-about one of the crucial picturesque stadiums on the circuit — was renamed Stadio Pietrangeli.
Two tennis rackets and the Davis Cup received by Italy in 1976 below Pietrangeli’s captaincy have been positioned subsequent to the coffin, which was embellished in blue and white flowers.
A big display screen displayed photos of Pietrangeli’s profession accompanied by the music of Charles Aznavour, one among his favourite singers.
“My Means,” by Frank Sinatra, performed because the coffin was moved from the court docket, headed to the church the place the funeral was to be held.
“Every part simply as he wished, the place and the music,” his son Marco mentioned.
Outstanding figures of Italian sport attended, together with the previous and present president of the Italian Nationwide Olympic Committee in addition to the pinnacle of the Italian Tennis Federation.
Prince Albert II of Monaco, a longtime pal of Pietrangeli, was current at his funeral on the Chiesa della Gran Madre di Dio in Rome.
“I knew him for a few years,” he mentioned. “He was a splendid man. I actually wished to be right here additionally for his household, I’m very emotional. He was all the time there in an important moments of my life.”
Adriano Panatta and Tonino Zugarelli, who received the Davis Cup with Pietrangeli, have been additionally current as have been different former tennis gamers together with Fabio Fognini, who retired earlier this 12 months.
Noticeably absent, nevertheless, have been present Italian tennis gamers, particularly Jannik Sinner.
Pietrangeli was the primary Italian to win a Grand Slam singles trophy, on the French Championships in 1959 and repeated in 1960. He additionally holds the Davis Cup file for whole wins and singles wins from 66 ties from 1954-72. His singles file was 78-32 and his doubles file was 42-12.
