MALAGA, Spain — After a long 25-year dry spell without a Davis Cup title, Italy has emerged victorious once again, this time led by the sensational Jannik Sinner, who has ignited the nation’s tennis celebrations with consecutive championships.
The top-ranked Sinner sealed the deal for his team this Sunday, dominating Tallon Griekspoor with a score of 7-6 (2), 6-2. This impressive performance secured a 2-0 victory against the Netherlands in the thrilling final of the Davis Cup.
“Returning as defending champions and achieving victory again — it’s an incredible feeling for all of us,” Sinner expressed. “We’re thrilled to lift this trophy and to head into the preseason with a surge of confidence.”
Matteo Berrettini steered Italy to an early lead with a solid 6-4, 6-2 win over Botic van de Zandschulp — the last player to defeat Rafael Nadal — in the tournament’s opening singles match held on the indoor hard courts of the Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena in southern Spain.
With the support of an enthusiastic crowd of 9,200 fans singing and drumming, the Italian team made history by becoming the first to win back-to-back Davis Cups since the Czech Republic did so in 2012-2013.
Adding to the nation’s achievements, Italy’s women’s team recently clinched the Billie Jean King Cup, triumphing over Slovakia on Wednesday.
“This makes us even prouder,” noted Filippo Volandri, the Davis Cup captain.
As Sinner completed his match, Berrettini and his teammates sprinted onto the court, joyfully embracing each other and celebrating their victory. Volandri lifted Sinner off the ground in a moment of uncontained excitement.
It was evident that Sinner was the team’s lynchpin, boasting an unbeaten record of 4-0 in Malaga, including a doubles win with Berrettini against Argentina in the quarterfinals.
Berrettini also played a crucial role, stepping in for Lorenzo Musetti in singles. Following a challenging period filled with injuries and health struggles since finishing as Wimbledon runner-up in 2021, he emphasized the emotional hurdles he encountered.
“I didn’t miss the wins or the losses. What I truly missed were these moments,” Berrettini reflected.
After a rocky start against van de Zandschulp, ranked 80th, Berrettini seized control by winning the last three games of the first set, while Sinner prepared to step up and secure Italy’s triumph.
Sinner delivered an astonishing 15 aces against the 40th-ranked Griekspoor, extending his remarkable streak to 14 consecutive match victories and 26 straight sets, following his recent ATP Finals title.
Sinner’s rise has been one of the standout narratives in tennis this year, compiling a stellar 73-6 record with eight titles in 2024, including his maiden Grand Slam victories at the Australian Open and the U.S. Open. This success comes on the heels of being exonerated in a doping investigation linked to earlier steroid tests, with the World Anti-Doping Agency’s appeal still pending.
The Netherlands marked its debut in the Davis Cup final, showcasing their determination.
“We believed we could topple them,” remarked Dutch captain Paul Haarhuis, reflecting on the challenge posed by the Italians.
Italy’s historic journey has evolved significantly since their last triumph in 1976. Volandri inspired his athletes with the vision: “We aim to carve our names in history.”
Griekspoor, still seeking his first win against Sinner in six encounters, made a robust start but ultimately faltered during the crucial tiebreaker, which was flooded with enthusiastic chants from the crowd. Sinner maintained his composure, securing the win with a commanding ace.
Once he led 2-0 in the second set, Sinner did not relinquish another game, joyfully joining Berrettini, Volandri, Musetti, and the rest of the squad in triumphantly hoisting the trophy that now rightfully belongs to Italy.
