Jannik Sinner has proven that he is a player to watch out for years to come. After becoming the first Italian to defeat world no. 2 Carlos Alcaraz at the China Open and world no. 3 Daniil Medvedev in Beijing, Vienna, and Turin, the 22-year-old star ended Novak Djokovic’s 19-match winning streak at the Nitto ATP Finals.
Coming into the Davis Cup knockout stage, Jannik Sinner weighted his nation on his shoulders, and the world no. 4 made sure he delivered emphatically in Malaga.
Rafael Nadal reacts to Jannik Sinner-led Italy win Davis Cup title
Tennis icon Rafael Nadal extended his congratulations to the Italian team for their victory in Malaga. Italy, demonstrating resilience throughout the event, secured a 2-0 victory over Australia in the final of the Davis Cup knockout stage.
Matteo Arnaldi emerged victorious in the opening match, defeating Alexei Popyrin with a score of 7-5, 2-6, 6-4. Matteo Arnaldi’s goal gave Italy a crucial 1-0 lead, followed by an impressive performance from Vienna Open champion Jannik Sinner, who defeated Alex de Minaur 6-3 6-0 to secure Italy’s victory over Australia. Italy, previously enduring a 47-year drought for the Davis Cup title, has now secured two championships in the competition.
“Congratulations Italy. Very great!!!” Rafael Nadal captioned his Instagram Story.
Italy began the knockout phase by defeating the Netherlands before triumphing over Djokovic-led Serbia in the semifinals. In the final, Sinner made sure Italy won the Davis Cup for the second time since 1976. The Italy team consisted of Jannik Sinner, Lorenzo Musetti, Matteo Arnaldi, Lorenzo Sonego, Simone Bolelli, and captain Filippo Volandri.
Viktor Troicki strongly reacts to Novak Djokovic loss
With Miomir Kecmanovic’s victory over Lorenzo Musetti in the first round, Serbia took a 1-0 lead over Italy in their semifinal match. However, Novak Djokovic, being the more experienced player, had a great opportunity to secure Serbia’s place in the final with a victory over Italian Jannik Sinner. However, the US Open champion failed to capitalize on three consecutive match points, ultimately allowing Jannik Sinner to secure a 6-2 2-6 7-5 victory.
Despite Djokovic’s loss in the second game, Serbia had a chance to qualify for the final, but Novak Djokovic and Miomir Kecmanovic lost the deciding doubles match as Sinner and Lorenzo Sonego beat the Serbian duo 6-3, 6-4.
Viktor Troicki Djokovic, the Serbian team captain said after the loss that Novak Djokovic is a human: “I am proud of my players, the whole team. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out this year either. We were one ball short of entering the final, where we would have our chances. So close, a very bitter taste.”
“Misa’s phenomenal match, Novak’s incredible match with Sinner, he pulled out the last atom of his strength… We all know that he is the greatest hero of Serbia, that he has pulled off the impossible so many times, but it happens to everyone, he’s human too, it’s a sport.”
We were very close, it was impossible. Heads up, let’s move on, that’s the only thing I can say after almost eight hours of playing. The Italian doubles team was fresher. Sinner was in better momentum after the victory (over Djokovic in singles). This is tennis, the match is not over until the last point,” Viktor Troicki said.
Novak Djokovic appeared clearly disappointed and disheartened after expressing his strong motivation and determination to guide Serbia to another Davis Cup victory. However, the world no.1 was defeated by the talented player, Sinner.
