"Leave Jannik Sinner alone" - Patrick Mouratoglou stands up for the Italian after controversial Davis Cup Finals snub

Italy will be attempting to triumph in their third successive Davis Cup Finals without their star player Jannik Sinner, after the four-time Grand Slam champion chose to skip the event with the start of the next campaign at the forefront of his mind. It has gained a huge amount of criticism and negative attention, something that Patrick Mouratoglou is firmly against.

Sinner was an integral part of the Italian team that won the event in 2023 and 2024, continuing his ominous form for his country. With him still improving while becoming more dominant over the chasing pack, it would have been a major coup for Italy to have him compete. Unfortunately for them, Sinner has prioritised his own career, looking ahead at the points he needs to defend at the Australian Open, with a huge tally of points on offer due to Sinner not playing in any events due to being suspended. This will give him a great platform to once again attempt to reclaim the number one spot cruelly snatched away from him by Carlos Alcaraz at Flushing Meadows.

While the world number two will not step onto the court in Bologna, Italy's strength in depth will still provide them with a glorious chance of picking up three titles on the bounce. World number eight and two-time Grand Slam semi-finalist Lorenzo Musetti will be joined by the world number 23 Flavio Cobolli and 2021 Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini in the singles, with former Australian Open doubles champion Simone Bolelli teaming up with three-time mixed doubles major champion Andrea Vavassori.

The French coach has asked for the public to 'take a step back' as he looks logically on Sinner's situation while calling for criticism of the 24-year-old to halt. "Leave Jannik Sinner alone. That’s what I’ve been telling people since he announced he would skip the Davis Cup, at home," Mouratoglou wrote on LinkedIn. "I’ve read that he might even skip Paris to focus on the ATP Finals even if that no longer seems to be relevant today, base on his latest quote in Vienna. And yes, to some people, that sounds shocking, especially when you see him play an exhibition but not a Masters 1000 or the Davis Cup. But let’s take a step back."

Mouratoglou went on to say that Sinner deserves to pick and choose what tournaments he competes in. "I actually think it’s a good thing. Not that he skips Davis Cup specifically, but that top players today finally have the freedom to make their own choices," he wrote. "For too long, tennis players have been living under a mandatory schedule. But players aren’t machines. They know their bodies. They know when to push, when to rest, and when it’s time to protect their future."

While admitting it is a 'beautiful' competition, Mouratoglou highlighted how tough it is for players to compete in after already enduring almost a full season under their belt. "Davis Cup is a beautiful event, but it’s not what it used to be," Mouratoglou continued. "It’s changed a lot, it’s lost some of its prestige, and it comes at the very end of an exhausting season. Physically and emotionally, it’s one of the hardest events in the sport, especially when you’re your country’s No. 1, and the pressure of victory sits on your shoulders.

"So yes, I understand the disappointment of Italian fans. But I also understand Jannik’s decision. He’s earned the right to choose what’s best for him, and that should be respected."

Sinner is currently competing in the Vienna Open, with a semi-final matchup against Alex de Minaur on the cards. A victory will mean yet another final in 2025, with Musetti or Alexander Zverev the possible opponent.