Filippo Volandri was able – together with his Italian team guys – to win two consecutive Davis Cup Finals. The former Italian tennis player had to make a complicated choice during the quarterfinal against Argentina, in what turned out to be the most difficult challenge of the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga.
In the decisive doubles, despite the presence of Andrea Vavassori and Simone Bolelli, Volandri chose to rely on world number one Jannik Sinner and Matteo Berrettini. The two repaid his trust in the best possible way by taking Italy to the semifinals and subsequently winning all the singles matches against Australia and Holland.
The Italian captain recently focused on Sinner, also talking about WADA’s appeal and the possible disqualification linked to the Clostebol case.
“Despite all the vicissitudes you know, Jannik became number 1 ATP, won 2 Slams and conquered the second Davis. This shows the caliber of the person as well as the athlete. Hoping that the happy ending arrives soon. WADA? We are spectators of the story. We hope something changes in the right direction,” he said with great honesty during an award ceremony in Italy.
Jannik Sinner, ATP Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
“A sensational year. We must enjoy this moment without sitting down. We must give the boys new goals. They are all training, hoping for a profitable 2025. The truth is that it was an extraordinary year. Having won the second Davis Cup in a row, the week after the girls’ victory in the Billie Jean King Cup, had a special flavor,” said Volandri.
“You always have to set new goals: that’s what I asked the guys at the end of last season. We’ll try to stay at the highest levels. We don’t necessarily have to win the Davis Cup every year, but we want to stay there with a great team. That’s the secret: the same players won’t always be called up,” he added.
Tennis World USA