“Jannik was right”: Volandri breaks his silence on Sinner’s absence after Italy’s Davis Cup victory

Italy’s historic Davis Cup three-peat has sparked a new wave of pride in Italian tennis, but it also reopened a debate that has followed the team for weeks: Jannik Sinner’s absence from the 2025 Finals. While critics questioned the World No. 1’s commitment after he withdrew from the event, captain Filippo Volandri has now delivered his clearest and most emphatic defense, insisting that Italy’s triumph in Bologna proves the country is far more than a one-man team.

Sinner, who led Italy to Davis Cup glory in both 2023 and 2024, decided to skip the Finals this year, citing a need for recovery at the end of a punishing season. The decision triggered a wave of criticism from certain sectors of the Italian media and an emotionally charged debate among fans. Expectations were sky-high given Sinner’s status and the team’s title defense, and his withdrawal was widely framed as a fatal blow to Italy’s chances. Yet what unfolded in Bologna was the opposite: Italy’s depth shone brighter than ever.

With Matteo Berrettini and Flavio Cobolli stepping into starring roles, Italy defeated Spain 2-0 to capture a third consecutive Davis Cup title—an achievement that places this squad among the most dominant in the event’s modern era. The players competed with the composure of seasoned champions, embracing the pressure of playing at home and the responsibility of maintaining a winning legacy built over three seasons. Instead of collapsing under scrutiny, the team produced one of its most complete collective performances.

For Volandri, this victory was not only unexpected by outsiders—it was profoundly emotional. The captain emphasized that this year’s edition carried a unique weight because so many questioned Italy’s ability to lift the trophy without the country’s biggest star.

“This year something extraordinary was achieved with the Davis Cup victory. Winning three consecutive titles was the feat of the year,” Volandri said to Gazzetta Italy. “With three different players, many new ones and many debutants, it is a sign of a healthy movement.”

The Italian captain did not shy away from addressing the controversy directly, defending Sinner’s decision and highlighting the strength of the collective. “Jannik was right. We remain a strong team,” he insisted. “It is a different victory from the others, perhaps the most heartfelt, along with the first one; different but equally emotional.”

Volandri stressed that the Davis Cup is rarely won by a single superstar. Instead, it requires a deep pool of players capable of stepping in when the moment demands it. “I am lucky to have so many players,” he added. “You don't always win the Davis Cup with the number one or two in the world, but with so many players who are asked to play a role that they have performed brilliantly.”

Berrettini rediscovered the form that once took him to a Wimbledon final, while Cobolli embraced the pressure of a decisive role in the Finals, demonstrating maturity well beyond his ranking. Their performances validated Volandri’s long-standing belief in Italy’s structural strength, one built on a generation of high-level talent rather than a single pillar.

If Italy’s three-year dominance has one defining trait, Volandri believes it is not talent, but chemistry. “The true strength of the team lies in the fact that they are guys who get along well,” he explained. “After the victory, I called them one by one to tell them how important they were.”

The captain singled out Lorenzo Sonego as a perfect example. Despite holding a high ranking, Sonego did not play during the Finals, yet his contribution behind the scenes was vital. “Even a player like Sonego... worked very hard for the team, alongside Matteo, to make Flavio feel at his best,” Volandri said. The message is clear: every title Italy has won in this run was shaped not only by the points scored on the court but by the atmosphere built off it.

Over the last three seasons, Italy has reached a rare level of cohesion, one where each player—whether competing, supporting, training, or advising—embraces a collective identity. “During the last three years, the team, regardless of who is called up or who plays, supports and backs each other, and for me that is very important,” concluded Volandri.