Angelo Binaghi, president of Italy's tennis federation, has appealed to Eurosport to broadcast an all-Italian Roland-Garros semifinal on free-to-air television. The appeal followed Flavio Cobolli's quarterfinal victory over Félix Auger-Aliassime, which secured a semifinal matchup between Cobolli and Matteo Arnaldi, who advanced when Matteo Berrettini retired in the second set due to a hip injury.
Why the broadcast appeal matters
Binaghi framed the request as an opportunity to expand tennis's reach in Italy rather than a commercial dispute. According to Il Fatto Quotidiano, Binaghi stated that Italian tennis has become "a national sporting heritage capable of engaging millions of people well beyond the usual subscription audience," and that the semifinal represents a potentially historic moment for the sport in the country. He added that the Italian players competing at Roland-Garros serve as educational models for young people through their discipline and values.
What happens next
Warner Bros. Discovery, which owns Eurosport and holds the Roland-Garros broadcasting rights, was reportedly evaluating the possibility of providing a free broadcast at the time of Binaghi's appeal. The decision would align with Italian legislation protecting events of particular national interest.
Sources
- Il Fatto Quotidiano: Binaghi lancia l'appello: "Ogni sforzo possibile per permettere a tutti di vedere la semifinale tra due italiani in chiaro. È un'opportunità". Published 2026-06-04.
Reported from public sources.