Players in the tennis world have specific ways of showcasing their inner thoughts and creating an aura among fans. While some might use elements of fashion, like Naomi Osaka, others find solace in getting themselves inked. Aryna Sabalenka, for instance, is known for the adorable tattoo of a fierce tiger on her arm. However, she isn’t the only one on tour to have tattoos motivated by lively connections. Italian ATP star Flavio Cobolli is another big name from the tennis community who likes the idea of expressing his thoughts with inked skin.

One of the most exciting young tennis talents in 2024, Flavio Cobolli has caught attention not just for his game, but for the many tattoos that cover his body. Each tattoo tells a story, representing something important to the Italian player. One of his most meaningful tattoos is a quote from his idol, football legend Daniele De Rossi, who was recently the manager of AS Roma. The quote inked on Cobolli’s body, says, “Sei tu l’unica mia sposa, sei tu l’unico mio amor,” which means “You are my only wife, you are my only love.” De Rossi often wore this phrase on his captain’s armband during his playing days at Roma, and it inspired the ATP star.

Originally from Rome, Cobolli has been a lifelong fan of the capital’s team. He expressed how much De Rossi means to him after a remarkable victory at the Australian Open. After defeating Russian player Pavel Kotov, Cobolli revealed his tattoo to honor De Rossi’s influence on his career. “I didn’t know how to express my joy,” Cobolli shared in the press conference. “De Rossi’s arrival at Roma put me in difficulty. So, I lifted the shirt to show the place where I tattooed the phrase from his captain’s armband,” he added.

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Beyond his tribute to De Rossi, Cobolli’s other tattoos showcase his personal journey and love for body art. His tattoos include sayings in Chinese that mean “brave” and “passion,” as well as the wolf symbol of Roma, the symbol of Florence, and a depiction of mountains. Cobolli explains his attraction to tattoos simply, “I like having my body painted… I wake up and I go.”

His tattoos don’t just represent his love for his idol and his hometown. They remind him of the strength and drive needed to succeed on the ATP Tour. In 2024, Cobolli enjoyed a breakthrough season, earning 34 tour-level victories and reaching his first ATP final in Washington. Through his tattoos, he carries symbols of both inspiration and determination into every match.

When Flavio Cobolli planned to add a new tattoo ahead of the Roland Garros

Flavio Cobolli has filled his body with tattoos that express his love for two things closest to his heart—football and his girlfriend. The Italian proudly carries three tattoos dedicated to his beloved football team, AS Roma, as well as others representing his relationship. “I have a lot of tattoos, three for my football team, a few for my girlfriend. I go to the tattoo artist and never have a plan,” Cobolli shared with the Roland Garros website.

Back in 2023, the Italian planned another tattoo if he qualified for the French Open main draw — the Roland Garros logo. “For sure, if I qualify, I will go get the Roland Garros logo, let’s see,” he said, eager to mark this career milestone with permanent ink. This symbolic gesture would not only celebrate his achievement but also pay homage to the tournament where he previously tasted success, including a massive French Open boys’ doubles title in 2020.

A former youth player for AS Roma, Cobolli made the decision to switch to tennis at age 13, a move that brought him closer to his dreams. Unlike most qualifiers who hope to avoid the top seeds in the main draw, Cobolli was eager to stand on the court with one of the sport’s greatest players, Novak Djokovic. “It is one of the goals of my life to play Grand Slams. If I get to play Djokovic on a key court, that would be unbelievable,” he stated. Now that he has secured a remarkable spot at the Shanghai Masters 2024, the dream of going against the Serbian legend is finally going to come true.