Flavio Cobolli claimed two ATP titles in 2025 and cracked the top-20 en route to his career-best season.
The Florence native is clear-eyed about where he stands in Italian tennis right now - and where Jannik Sinner is.
Cobolli has never shied away from ambition. He continues to grind on the practicecourt in Murcia alongside Carlos Alcaraz, preparing for another strong run in 2026 and chasing consistency and growth.
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However, when the conversation turns to Jannik, the contrast is impossible to ignore. While Cobolli fights to carve his place among the game's rising forces, his compatriot has already established himself as a reference point for the entire sport.
Instead of framing the gap as discouraging, Flavio sees it as a reflection of reality and standards. Sinner has set a benchmark, leaving almost everyone behind with his relentless work, physical evolution and mental clarity.
Flavio is a two-time ATP title winner in 2025, a Major quarter-finalist and the Davis Cup hero, having won three singles matches en route to another title in Bologna. However, he admits the gap toward Jannik, who operates on a different level.
Cobolli's words carry admiration rather than resignation. The young gun recognizes that progress is measured over time, not by shortcuts. The Florence native understands that closing such a gap requires patience, discipline and sustained belief.
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He might never reach the level required to fight for the ATP throne with Sinner and Alcaraz, but his honesty stands out as refreshing. The important thing is that Flavio makes the path forward clear.
He is eager to keep working, keep learning and keep chasing, like the rest of the Tour in comparison to Jannik and Carlos. They are in front by a mile, but Cobolli acknowledges that distance and knows what real progressdemands.
After all, he is ready to challenge the world's best player in the season ahead of us and establish himself as one of their closest rivals. The task is easier said than done, but the Florence native wants to embrace it and give his allto succeed.
Cobolli's first chance will come at next month's Australian Open. He could face them as early asthe fourth round and show what he is made of.
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"You have to be a bit realistic in life. I work hard every day to get where Jannik stands, but I recognize he is currently very far in front of me," Flavio Cobolli said.
