French Open 2026: How stealing Rafael Nadal’s shower became a Roland-Garros superstition for Flavio Cobolli

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Flavio Cobolli has revealed the reason why he has started using Rafael Nadal's old shower at Roland-Garros, and how it has become somewhat of a superstition for him.

'I used the same shower as Rafa' - Cobolli reveals Nadal-inspired French Open superstition

Video credit: TNT Sports

The Italian stormed into the 2026 French Open semi-finals on Wednesday with a four-set victory over fourth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime.

It is the first time Cobolli has reached the last four at a Grand Slam, with his best finish coming at Wimbledon last year when he reached the quarter-finals.

The 24-year-old had not recently got beyond the third round at Roland-Garros, and he will compete with compatriot Matteo Arnaldi, who took advantage of a walkover victory against another Italian, Matteo Berrettini, for a spot in the final.

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With some of the big hitters out of the way - Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic have been eliminated, while Carlos Alcaraz did not feature - there is a golden opportunity for one player to get his hands on a maiden Grand Slam title.

Second seed Alexander Zverev is the leading contender, while 10th seed Cobolli is the favourite to meet him in Sunday's final on Philippe-Chatrier.

Highlights: Cobolli comes from set down to get better of Auger-Aliassime

Video credit: TNT Sports

It would be a career-defining moment for Cobolli, and it could all be down to using 14-time champion Nadal's old shower at the French Open facilities.

"I think I said in the first press [conference] that I use that same shower as Rafa, because I had a memory with that shower that I tried to use," he explained to reporters.

"He knocked and I had to hurry because he was waiting on me, and he told me that it had been his shower for 14 years!"

Nadal has a record number of wins at Roland-Garros - more than any other player has at a single Grand Slam - as he dominated the competition during his playing days from 2005 to 2022, failing to lift the title just four times during that run.

So it is no wonder that Cobolli is going through the same routine as the legendary 22-time Grand Slam winner.

But there is still work to do for Cobolli, who will be up against it in the final, should he reach the showpiece event.

Zverev could be standing in his way, and the German will be desperate to finally end his wait for a major after reaching three Grand Slam finals, along with seven semi-finals.

Zverev will come up against Czechia's Jakub Mensik in the other semi-final.

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