Jannik Sinner's choice not to participate in the Davis Cup Finals scheduled in Bologna next month has sparked a wave of controversy in Italy, as the former world number 1 has been accused of disrespecting his country. To tell the truth, the 24-year-old from Sesto Pusteria has played an absolutely decisive role in the last two editions of this competition, allowing Italy to break a curse that had lasted for several decades.
According to some analysts and insiders, the four-time Grand Slam champion had already announced last year that he would not participate in the 'Final 8' in 2025, but it was decided to keep this news confidential until a few days ago.
There is still time for the world number 2 to change his mind and be present in Bologna, but the captain of the Italian team Filippo Volandri has already confided that he does not expect any change from this point of view.
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Sinner's choice divides
Jannik who is playing in the Vienna ATP 500 this week and has qualified for the quarterfinals has expressed his desire to focus on preparing for the 2026 season after the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, as he will have to defend his title again at the Australian Open next January.
Italy is a very strong team even without Sinner, but there is no doubt that his absence is likely to have a huge weight in Bologna in less than a month.
Speaking to his former colleague and friend Paolo Bertolucci, Italian legend Adriano Panatta admitted that he would have made an effort if he had been in Jannik's place: "I would have played in Bologna if I had been in his place, but it's no secret that the priorities of current players have changed compared to my time. For us to skip the Davis Cup was inconceivable, but the situation has changed now and the new format is really ridiculous. The double has taken on too much value and there is no longer the same magic."
