Jannik Sinner led Italy to a second consecutive Davis Cup title in Malaga, as they beat the Netherlands in the final.
Italy won their third Davis Cup title last week, beating the Netherlands 2-0 in the final, retaining the title they won last year.
It continued a fantastic end to the season for the nation, as Italy had won the Billie Jean King Cup, the week prior.
Jannik Sinner was the star man once again in Malaga, having led his team to victory in 2023 against Australia.
Sinner beat Tallon Griekspoor to secure the title after Matteo Berrettini had won against Botic van de Zandschulp in the opener.
Another result that has helped cement Sinner’s spot as the biggest name in Italian tennis, but despite all his achievements in 2024, one tennis legend is keen to remind fans that there is one record he will never break.
Nicola Pietrangeli says Jannik Sinner will never beat his ‘untouchable’ record
Two-time Grand Slam winner Nicola Pietrangeli spoke to Un giorno da pecora following Italy’s Davis Cup win to reiterate that despite Sinner’s recent successes, there is one record he will never break.
“[Jannik] Sinner and the others will need three or four lifetimes to beat all my records,” he said.
“I have one that is unbeatable and that is the one related to the 164 matches played in the Davis Cup.”
Pietrangeli did however concede that Sinner is taking all the right steps to break records of his own.
“Having said that, to beat all my records, he is on the right track, for goodness sake,” said the Italian.
“He is only 23 years old, rankings are made at the end of a career.
“Except for the one for matches played, though. That is untouchable.”
Pietrangeli went on to explain how he felt, having not been invited to Italy’s Davis Cup winning ceremony.
“Let’s be clear, I don’t want to be controversial,” he said.
“But I am the one who has played the most matches, the Azzurri won the Davis Cup and no one called me for the Italy awards ceremony.
“I was sorry, to be honest.
“Last year I was there, and I think people would have been pleased to see a ninety-one-year-old be there, even just out of curiosity.
“I was a little upset.”
How ‘untouchable’ is Nicola Pietrangeli’s Davis Cup record?
Pietrangeli played an astonishing 164 matches for Italy in the Davis Cup, holding a remarkable record of 120 wins and 44 losses.
The Italian legend firmly believes that no-one will ever catch him, and he might well be right to think that.
| Name | Age | Nation | Davis Cup matches played | Davis Cup matches won |
| Nicola Pietrangeli | 91 | Italy | 164 | 120 |
| Roger Federer | 43 | Switzerland | 70 | 52 |
| Novak Djokovic | 37 | Serbia | 62 | 46 |
| Andy Murray | 37 | Great Britain | 52 | 42 |
| Rafael Nadal | 38 | Spain | 43 | 37 |
| Jannik Sinner | 23 | Italy | 19 | 15 |
| Carlos Alcaraz | 21 | Spain | 8 | 6 |
It does seem like Pietrangeli’s record will be safe for quite some time, but what would Sinner have to do to catch him?
Sinner has played four or five matches every year in the Davis Cup since his first appearance at the tournament in 2021.
If he were to continue at that rate, Sinner would need to continue playing at the Davis Cup until he turns 52, to surpass Pietrangeli’s record.
On second glance, the 91-year-old may have a fair point, as that certainly doesn’t look like a record that will fall any time soon.
The 2025 Davis Cup Finals will take place in November next year, with Italy entering as two-time defending champions.
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