Matteo Berrettini insists the Italian Davis Cup team isn't feeling any anxiety about Jannik Sinner's absence as the 2021 Wimbledon finalist believes they still have a good enough team to win the main glory.
After leading Italy to back-to-back Davis Cup titles in 2023 and 2024, Sinner announced that he would not be representing his nation at the Final-8 event in Malaga. The four-time Grand Slam champion drew criticism and scrutiny for his decision from the Italian media and public.
On Thursday, Italy suffered another big blow when world No. 9 Lorenzo Musetti announced he was withdrawing from the Davis Cup Final-8. He was replaced by Lorenzo Sonego. Now, Italian captain Filippo Volandri's team will be represented by Berrettini, Sonego, Flavio Cobolli, Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori.
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Berrettini: Jannik isn't here but no anxiety
The Davis Cup has always been good for me, and I think I can give the right determination to the group. Jannik isn't here, Musetti is in doubt, but the beautiful thing is that even without the two current top players, theres no anxiety. We are all aware that we can do it. We are all eager and we are in a good momentBolelli and Vavassori are playing great, Cobolli had the best season of his career, Sonego, if he comes, has shown that he is doing very well. We are a group, we are friends, everything will be fine," the 2021 Wimbledon runner-up told Gazzetta.
Had Sinner and Musetti decided to play - Italy would have undoubtedly been the No. 1 favorite for the title - especially knowing that Bolelli and Vavassori are one of the best doubles teams in the world.
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But if Italy wants to complete a Davis Cup three-peat, they will have to do without their biggest stars.
Italy will take on Austria on November 19th for a place in the Davis Cup semifinal.
