Flavio Cobolli, one of tennis’ brightest young talents, has stormed into his first-ever Grand Slam quarter-final with a gritty victory over veteran Marin Cilic at Wimbledon. The 23-year-old Italian triumphed 6-4, 6-4, 6-7(4), 7-6(3) in a gripping fourth-round battle on Court Two, setting up a dream clash against his childhood idol, Novak Djokovic.

This match was Cobolli’s biggest test so far in the tournament, as he faced the experienced 36-year-old Cilic, a former Wimbledon finalist and 2014 US Open champion. Despite losing his first set of the tournament, Cobolli held his nerve in two tense tie-breaks to seal the win after more than three and a half hours on court.

The 22nd seed has thrilled fans throughout the tournament with his flair, composure, and variety of shots. His run at SW19 marks the best Grand Slam performance of his career—he had never progressed beyond the third round before this event.

His breakthrough season in 2024 has seen him rocket from outside the top 100 to inside the world’s top 30, highlighted by a maiden ATP title at the Romanian Open and another triumph in Hamburg, both on clay—his preferred surface.

Ironically, Cobolli once admitted to disliking grass courts in his junior days. But now, he’s made history on them.

A former youth footballer who spent five years in the academy of his beloved Roma, Cobolli carries his passion for the club proudly. He even has a chest tattoo of a quote from Roma legend Daniele De Rossi, and after winning the 2020 French Open boys’ title, he celebrated with a Roma scarf held high.

Though he once dreamed of a football career, Cobolli chose tennis at age 14 for its individual challenges—and that decision is now paying off.

Against Cilic, who had ousted Britain’s Jack Draper in the second round, Cobolli was clinical. He broke the Croat twice to take a two-set lead, showcasing a sharp baseline game and confident shot selection.

Cilic, ranked 83rd and mounting a late-career resurgence after battling long-term injuries, fought back to claim the third set after Cobolli double-faulted at a crucial moment. But the Italian regrouped quickly, breaking early in the fourth and eventually clinching the match in another tie-break.

As he raised his arms in celebration, his father and coach, former pro Stefano Cobolli, was overcome with emotion in the stands. It was a proud moment for the family, after a marathon match lasting three hours and 27 minutes.

For Cilic, the defeat was bittersweet. He waved to all corners of the court on his exit—perhaps a farewell to Wimbledon, or at least an acknowledgment that opportunities at this level may be fewer in the years ahead.

Elsewhere, American Ben Shelton ended Lorenzo Sonego’s run in four sets, preventing what would have been a historic moment for Italian tennis. Had Sonego joined Cobolli and another compatriot in the last eight, it would have been the first time three Italian men reached the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam.

Cobolli, however, continues to fly the flag for Italy and now looks ahead to what promises to be the most high-profile match of his young career—with a spot in the semi-finals on the line.