‘I Started Vomiting at 1 a.m.’: Arnaldi Shares Withdrawal Struggle
Matteo Arnaldi has revealed the details behind his heartbreaking withdrawal from Roland Garros, explaining that a sudden illness left him unable to compete despite feeling in excellent condition throughout the tournament.
Speaking alongside fellow Italian Flavio Cobolli in the press room, Arnaldi described a difficult night that began after dinner and quickly worsened.
"It’s difficult to be here. It’s not what I wanted to do," Arnaldi said.
The Italian explained that he started experiencing stomach issues on the eve of his scheduled match. What initially seemed like a minor digestive problem soon became a serious concern as he began vomiting during the night.
"I woke up at 1 a.m. and started vomiting. I wasn’t feeling the best. Then I tried to sleep. I couldn’t sleep at all," he said.
Arnaldi revealed that he vomited again early in the morning and required medical attention in his hotel room. Despite receiving treatment from tournament doctors, his condition failed to improve.
"We called the doctor in the room. He came and gave me some stuff. I was hoping it could just be something from dinner or something like that," Arnaldi explained.
The 24-year-old said he was unable to keep food or fluids down throughout the day, making it impossible for him to take the court.
"Every time I ate or drank something, I would go back to the bathroom. So it’s tough. It’s tough."
The withdrawal was particularly painful given the strong form Arnaldi had displayed during the tournament.
"For how the tournament was, for how many hours I spent on court, I was actually feeling very good," he added.
Arnaldi's withdrawal brought an abrupt end to what had been a promising Roland Garros campaign, while close friend and compatriot Flavio Cobolli admitted he was deeply saddened by the news.
The emotional press conference highlighted both the disappointment of Arnaldi's exit and the camaraderie shared between two of Italy's rising tennis stars.
Matteo Arnaldi at the press conference following his withdrawal from the tournament 🎙️#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/gsHAvA50hZ
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 5, 2026
