Italian tennis legend speaks up to defend Jannik Sinner after Davis Cup decision, ‘I don’t see anything wrong’

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Jannik Sinner recently announced whether he would participate in the 2025 Davis Cup Finals.

World number two Sinner won’t play the Davis Cup Finals in November, as he instead plans to shut his season down after the ATP Finals.

Having led his team to Davis Cup glory in 2023 and 2024, many expected Sinner to lead the Azzurri once more in 2025, but it has now become clear that Lorenzo Musetti will be the top-ranked Italian player in Bologna.

Sinner has received plenty of criticism for his decision, with his countryman and former Grand Slam champion Nicola Pietrangeli calling the move a ‘slap in the face’.

However, another Italian tennis legend has now come to Sinner’s defence…

Paolo Bertolucci says Jannik Sinner hasn’t done ‘anything wrong’ withdrawing from Davis Cup

During an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, 1976 Davis Cup winner Paolo Bertolucci had this to say about Sinner’s decision.

“I don’t see anything wrong with it, especially since I think it was agreed upon,” he said.

“Tennis has changed. Today, what matters are the four Slams and, secondary to that, the ATP Finals. Everything else is just trivia, perhaps of high quality, but without the substance of the five events I mentioned.

“The season lasts 11 months, planning is crucial, and the Davis Cup, especially this Davis Cup with its bizarre format, isn’t a crucial point. And in any case, Sinner has already won it twice.”

Former world number 12, Bertolucci, was then asked for his thoughts on those criticizing Sinner for withdrawing from the Davis Cup just days after playing a lucrative exhibition in Saudi Arabia.

“I see a lot of hypocrisy in there,” he said.

“I challenge any of his critics to say they would have given up that prize money for the Davis Cup.”

Bertolucci proceeded to suggest when he expects Sinner to return to Davis Cup action.

“It’s true, the final will be played in Italy, the fans were ready to overwhelm him with passion, many tickets were sold for him, but from this point of view, Jannik [Sinner] is above suspicion, given that he’s already helped us win it twice,” he said.

“Besides, the Davis Cup will stay in Bologna for another two years, he’ll definitely play it again.”

Bertolucci and the rest of Italy will hope to see Sinner back at the Davis Cup before too long, improving upon his impressive record at the event.

Jannik Sinner’s record at the Davis Cup

Sinner made his debut at the Davis Cup in 2021 and has played 19 total matches at the event, winning two titles.

The 24-year-old holds a 15-4 record, but has only lost one singles match at the event, to Sweden’s Mikael Ymer, 1,129 days ago.

Choosing not to appear at the tournament in 2025, Sinner will have to wait until at least 2026 to add a 16th win to his tally.

Looking to defend their title without their star man, Italy will begin their 2025 Davis Cup Finals campaign against Austria in the quarterfinals next month.