Flavio Cobolli’s rise in the ATP Rankings hasn’t been a miracle - it’s been a mission. One built rally by rally, season by season, with his father, Stefano, standing right beside him, not just as a parent but as the architect of his career. And as 2026 approaches, the Cobolli camp has a clear blueprint for what comes next.

Cobolli started the 2025 season ranked 32nd in the world, but with the help of his impressive performances (winning two titles this season and maintaining a win-loss record of 34-27), he quickly reached his career-high ranking of 17 on July 28. Although currently he has dropped to 22, Cobolli and his team have bigger goals in 2026. 

Stefano Cobolli has watched every step of his son’s transformation from promising junior to emerging ATP contender. But in his eyes, Flavio (Cobolli) is far from finished. So when asked (during an interview with Corriere dello Sport) what they would be working on next season, he didn’t hesitate - because the plan was already in motion. “We'll focus specifically on two aspects: his return, which has always been a natural move for Flavio but which we've never trained as I believe it needs to be today, and his technique when coming to the net. In this respect, de Minaur can be a point of reference, because even though he's a stronger player than Flavio, their speed is similar. And the Australian has a perfect attitude and a perfect run-up to volleys. The goal is to break into the ATP Top 10, and we believe the conditions are there.”

It’s not blind optimism. Flavio Cobolli’s speed, work ethic, and continual upward trajectory offer more than enough reasons for belief. This year, even at the Davis Cup, he played a crucial role in helping Italy clinch its third consecutive title. Even during that time, we saw him reflecting a similar goal for 2026.

He said, “I have a lot of faith in my followers, starting with my dad, so I trust them. I have a clear idea of where I want to be: in the top 10. I don’t know when, I’m not sure how, but at this point, the bar needs to be raised. To keep up with Jannik and the top players, I’m called upon to address my weaknesses. That doesn’t mean I feel obligated to always win; quite the opposite. Only by playing, losing, and winning can you grow.”

However, this time for Stefano Cobolli, the plans didn’t end at court drills. He also confirmed that the team will also tweak Flavio Cobolli’s tournament schedule in 2026 - fewer reactionary decisions, more strategic planning. A smarter calendar for a smarter player.

With a fine-tuned return, a more aggressive net presence, and a carefully crafted schedule, Flavio Cobolli is heading into the new season not just to participate - but to chase history. And as always, his father will be right there beside him, steering the journey with belief and purpose. 

But how has his team planned to start the 2026 season, and in which tournaments will we see Flavio Cobolli in action? Let’s find out.

Flavio Cobolli’s father lays out the plan about how they’re going to start 2026

Flavio Cobolli has grown used to people calling him one of Italy’s brightest young talents, but he knows better than anyone that none of this would have happened without the man standing just a few feet away at every practice session.

Cobolli began working with his dad, Stefano Cobolli, when he was 17 years old. Earlier this year, speaking about his unique partnership with his father during an interview with ATPTour.com, he said, “My dad was a good player, but he stopped when he was young, so he had a slightly lower ranking than me. He is an incredible coach now, and we have a great relationship.”

He further added, “When I was young, we wanted to keep tennis and our relationship separate. I used to play a lot of football, and we would talk about that, but we didn’t talk about tennis. He wanted me to improve alone, and then he said that when I was ready, he would help. We started a few years ago, and we have put in a lot of work together since we started, and last year was really good. We want to do more now.” 

According to Flavio Cobolli, “it’s tough when your dad is your coach,” but having said that, he also admitted that he listens to him more now than ever before. He loves working with him, and he strongly believes they can do great things together.

Can he achieve more success in 2026 than he did this year? Time will tell! But how is he going to start the new season?

“United Cup, Australian Open, and then we'll go to play on the hard courts of Dallas, Delray Beach, and Acapulco in order to best prepare for the 1000 in Indian Wells and Miami, where I think Flavio can do very well,” said Stefano Cobolli.

With a refreshed mindset, a targeted schedule, and a renewed technical focus, the Cobollis aren’t just entering another season - they’re building toward the biggest chapter yet. How many titles do you think this 23-year-old Italian can win next year?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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