Flavio Cobolli: “It’s never easy to talk about AS Roma!”

HALLE, Germany — “We’re talking about football?!” Flavio Cobolli asks Tennis Channel DE with a grin after his arrival in Halle for the Terra Wortmann Open.

The self-confessed AS Roma fanatic has endured a rollercoaster season with his beloved football club, but May turned out to be a good month, not only for the club, but also for him personally. The Italian celebrated his first-ever ATP 500 title in Germany when he lifted the Hamburg Open trophy last month — and he’s more than happy to be back.

WATCH: Flavio Cobolli on winning his first title in Bucharest | Tennis Channel Interview

“It's always fun to come back here to Germany. I love to play here,” he explained.

I love the conditions of the country. I love the people here. The food is not like in Italy, but we can improve it, like we can improve my game on grass.

“I'm very happy to be here, to have the opportunity to play this tournament because I think it's one of the best on the tour,” he added.

But back to the soccer. When Tennis Channel DE last caught up with Cobolli in Germany it was at September’s Laver Cup in Berlin. AS Roma were at that time hovering close to the Serie A relegation zone after a disastrous start to the season.

"I'm pretty sad about how the season has started" he told us then. "Normally, we're aiming to win the league but I don't think there's much chance of that now."

He was right that the league title had already gone, but the Italian giants did enjoy a renaissance of sorts, winning ten of their last thirteen matches to finish fifth and qualify for European competition next season. Despite the relatively happy end, Cobolli admits supporting his club isn’t for the fainthearted.

“It's never easy to talk about Roma!” He laughed.

So is he glad the season is over?

I mean, for my heart, yes. I have to be... I want a break also from football, but honestly, I miss it already.

He’s got plenty to distract himself with in the next few weeks though. Cobolli is currently riding high in the world rankings, having reached a career-best No. 24 after his Hamburg triumph. His winning streak on German soil is now six matches following a thrilling 5-7, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (8) win over Joao Fonseca on a lively Center Court.

“I said to my coach that I want to play only in Germany,” he joked after the match.

“I really like the people here, the condition, the weather. So for me, I think it's the best place to play. The Center Court is very beautiful. I also played last year on that court, but to win there is something different.”

“I want to say thank you to all the fans that they come today,” he added.

“I don't know if it was full because of us or because of Jannik (Sinner), maybe they were waiting for him! But it's always special when the crowd is like this, and we enjoyed it a lot today.”

Read More: Jannik Sinner makes winning return to action in Halle over Yannick Hanfmann