What Laver Cup alternate Flavio Cobolli said to Carlos Alcaraz during his victory over Ben Shelton

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With Team spirit the name of the game at the Laver Cup, Flavio Cobolli approached Carlos Alcaraz during a tense moment to offer up a few words.

For Flavio Cobolli, Italy’s newest phenom, a chance to break bread and mingle with the ATP’s finest would’ve seemed impossible 12 months ago.

Having reached the top 100 in October last year, the 22-year-old has rapidly risen through the rankings and currently sits on the cusp of the top 30.

Undertaking the role as an ‘alternate’, ready to step in if any of the top six Team Europe players get injured, Cobolli was keen to speak to fellow debutant Carlos Alcaraz during his win against Ben Shelton.

Flavia Cobolli offers up kind words to Carlos Alcaraz mid-match against Ben Shelton

With coaches and teammates allowed to depart advice during the changeovers, Cobolli was spotted somewhat nervously approaching Alcaraz.

The pair have only met once before, with Alcaraz steamrolling the Italian in his 2023 Roland Garros opener.

Having practiced together in Berlin, Cobolli plucked up the courage to approach Alcaraz while he was towelling off between games.

He said: “You are the best player in the world man, you should know it.” With a smile, Alcaraz smiled and embraced the Italian with a textbook smile.

Going onto win in style, Alcaraz’s grin never faded, with Cobolli’s kind words spurring on the 20-year-old to victory.

Shelton was forthcoming with praise for Alcaraz after he was dealt his first Laver Cup defeat.

Carlos Alcaraz will be keen to keep up his improved singles form

After a challenging month post-Olympics disappointment, Alcaraz looked out of sorts.

He smashed his racquet during defeat to Gael Monfils, before a second round exit saw him limp out of the US Open with less fury.

Back at the Laver Cup, he is continuing his momentum from two Davis Cup wins with Spain, despite Alcaraz’s complaints over ATP scheduling.

A magnificent 2024 won’t be overshadowed by his August wobble, however with an all-important Asian swing ahead, the Spaniard will be desperate for a big response at the Australian Open in January.