Yesterday, Jannik Sinner and team Italy were one point from being knocked out in the Davis Cup semifinals. Today, they can celebrate after the world no. 4’s gritty comeback win over Novak Djokovic helped them pip Serbia to Sunday’s showpiece event – where they emerged victorious vs. Australia without needing the decisive doubles rubber, capping a career-best year for the 22-year-old.
Sinner finishes a memorable 2023 on top
- Jannik Sinner overpowers Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-0 in singles, completing a career-best season with a 64-15 win/loss singles record after Matteo Arnaldi won in three sets vs. Alexei Popyrin to clinch 2-0 tie triumph
- Since the Czech double (2012, 2013), there have been different Davis Cup champions in each of the last nine years after Finland beat holders Canada in the quarters. This is Italy’s second title, and first since 1976
- Sinner on compatriot Matteo Berrettini, a welcome surprise part of their support team courtside after what was frustratingly another injury-hit season for the 2021 Wimbledon finalist: “For all of us, that he came here means a lot… he gave a lot of positive energy, huge thanks to him.”
- Lorenzo Musetti declared it one of his dreams to win this tournament and secure a “big finish” to the season post-match, while doubles specialist Simone Bolelli – part of their team over the past 15 years – was scheduled to play but didn’t feature throughout as Sinner/Sonego was the preferred pairing. His response? “This is maybe the greatest emotion of my career.”
After experiencing the emotional rollercoaster that was the conclusion to this year’s ATP Finals last weekend, Sinner addressed the Turin crowd and said this in his runners-up speech: “We still have the Davis Cup [to play] so who knows.”
He wouldn’t have been aware of it at the time, but that quote proved prophetic for the 22-year-old as he sealed five wins across two disciplines in four days to lead Italy to their first Davis Cup trophy for more than 40 years. A fitting end to a fantastic year.
de Minaur has spoken at length about wanting to do better in the season’s biggest events, whether that be Majors or other significant tournaments, but there wasn’t much he could do to extinguish an overly aggressive Sinner performance – especially from the back of the court with his forehand groundstrokes firing on all cylinders.
The Australian’s court coverage and foot speed was predictably tested behind the baseline and made to work extra hard for points on a day where his first serve (58%) wasn’t high, nor was he able to truly assert himself during return games.
Sinner had five aces, 71% first serve (25/34 pts won), 35 winners, 11 unforced errors
de Minaur: two aces, 55% first serve points won (18/33), 19 winners and 17 unforced
Sinner in singles: 7-6 (7-3), 6-1 win over Tallon Griekspoor, 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 beyond Novak Djokovic and 6-3, 6-0 against Alex de Minaur on finals day
doubles: partnered Lorenzo Sonego to beat Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof, then Djokovic and Miomir Kecmanovic during the deciding rubber in the semis
While everyone rightly heaps praise on Sinner for the scale of his achievements this week, it’s easy to forget the supporting cast and those who didn’t get to feature – like 38-year-old veteran Bolelli mentioned above – who played their part, either over the knockout rounds or the group stages contested back in September.
Lorenzo Musetti (#27), Matteo Arnaldi (#44) and Lorenzo Sonego (#47) made up the singles participation with mixed success but it’s a welcome sign that Italian tennis is in good hands for both the present and future, considering two are under-23 and Sonego (28) benefiting from a fourth consecutive year finishing in the world’s top 50.
Flavio Cobolli (21) and Luca Nardi (20) will feature in Jeddah’s Next Gen Finals which begin on Tuesday, and there are a cohort of other 21-and-under youngsters like Francesco Maestrelli, Luciano Darderi, Giulio Zeppieri and Matteo Gigante.
Picture source: Getty Images
Mo and Sports 