Sinner sparks controversy in Italy for absence from Davis Cup

Jannik Sinner sparks controversy by withdrawing from the Davis Cup with Italy

Jannik Sinner’s decision not to participate with Italy in the final phase of the Davis Cup has sparked a debate in his home country, where he was strongly defended during his doping case. Sinner, currently number two in the world, led Italy to victory in this team tournament in the last two years. However, he has chosen to focus on preparing for the next season instead of helping the “Azzurri” seek another title in Bologna next month.

“It wasn’t an easy decision, but after Turin [where the ATP Finals are played the week before the Davis Cup], the goal is to start on the right foot in Australia,” declared Sinner, referring to the Australian Open, where he is the defending champion.

Jannik Sinner

The tennis player also added that a week of preparation in that period can make the difference. “We already won the Davis Cup in 2023 and 2024 and this time we decided so with my team,” Sinner commented. The reaction in Italy was immediate. The headline on the front page of “Gazzetta dello Sport” was: “Sinner, think again.” An accompanying editorial criticized Sinner for mentioning that he had already won the Davis Cup twice, pointing out that he also defended his title over the weekend in a lucrative exhibition in Saudi Arabia.

“So you’re not going back to Riyadh for another $6 million? If you win another Wimbledon, won’t you go to London anymore? Pasta, coffee… Every five minutes you promote an Italian product. Do it with tennis too,” said the editorial in the Gazzetta.

Gazzetta dello Sport

Nicola Pietrangeli, winner of the French Open on two occasions and the most successful Italian player before Sinner’s arrival, commented that this decision is “a great slap in the face for the Italian sports world.” This is not the first time Sinner has been criticized for not representing Italy. It already happened when he didn’t play the Davis Cup in 2023 and at the Paris Olympics a year later. Adriano Panatta, who led Italy to their only other Davis Cup triumph in 1976, defended the choice of Sinner, noting that team competition is not considered as important as in his playing days. “Today tennis demands complete dedication from players. Players are like CEOs of companies that bear their names,” Panatta wrote. Paolo Bertolucci, also a member of the 1976 team and now a television commentator, agreed with Panatta. “I don’t see anything wrong with the decision,” Bertolucci said.