OLBIA/STARNBERG, September 12, 2025
The Olbia Challenger is warming up with a special preview in the heart of Sardinia. The courts of the Tennis Club Terranova hosted World No. 25 Flavio Cobolli, who is spending a few days on the island and returned as a guest of the club that will stage the ATP Challenger 125 event organised by MEF Tennis Events from 12–19 October.
Fresh from his all-Italian US Open quarterfinal clash with Lorenzo Musetti, Cobolli was back on the site that helped launch his career into the Top 100 two seasons ago, when he reached the final before falling to Kyrian Jacquet. After a standout 2025 that has already brought him two ATP Tour titles, winning in Bucharest and Hamburg, the 22-year-old is taking a brief break before the season’s closing stretch.
Un posto magico per avvistare il futuro.
Era il 2023 quando Flavio #Cobolli, finalista della prima edizione dell’Olbia Challenger, si godeva un momento di relax sulla spiaggia di Pittulongu
, #tennis #Olbia #Sardegna pic.twitter.com/3GxN8nIavB
— MEF tennis events (@meftennisevents) September 11, 2025
Cobolli’s connection with Sardinia runs deep. One of his best Challenger performances came on the greenset courts of Terranova in 2023, when he played his fifth and last final at that level before stepping onto the main tour.
“It’s wonderful to be here in Olbia and back at the Tennis Club Terranova,” Cobolli said at the presentation. “It’s emotional to return to the place where I played one of my best Challenger tournaments — the atmosphere is always special.”
During the morning at the club, he also looked back on his early steps at MEF Tennis Events tournaments:
“I’m aware of my journey and where I started. Thanks to Marcello, Elena and Federica I’ve become the player I am today. I still remember my first wild card in Todi, when I faced Carlos Alcaraz. Today he’s one of my closest friends on tour as well as a constant source of inspiration.”
The third edition of the Olbia Challenger runs 12–19 October, promising a field packed with rising talents and high-quality matches.
“Everyone plays great tennis now,” Cobolli concluded. “Even someone ranked 300 ATP isn’t far off those higher up. My advice to anyone chasing the big stage? Simple – never give up.”
