In’As Italy prepares for its Davis Cup debut, there are two notable absences. Today, Wednesday 19 NovemberAzzurri Captain Volandri challengedAustria to the quarter-finals of the Final Eight in Bologna without Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti. The two best tennis players, who were at the top of the rankings, of the two-time defending champion Italy, after their success in 2023 and 2024, withdrew for different reasons, refusing the call-up to the national team and calling themselves, especially Sinner, criticism and controversy.
Sinner and not on Davis, the reason
It was the Italian captain Filippo Volandri who announced Jannik Sinner’s refusal to be called up to the Davis Cup last October: “Sinner has not yet given his availability for 2025 – he explained to Supertennis -. The Davis Cup is, and will always remain, his home and I am sure that Jannik will soon be part of the team again”.
Instead, Sinner himself explained the reasons for his decision, in an interview with SkySport: “”The important thing is to start well in 2026 with the Australian Open and an extra week of preparation changes. It’s a tough choice to give up the Davis Cup Final, of course the fact that we’ve won it twice is tough.”
Money as well as Musetti
Lorenzo Musetti’s decision was taken at the end of the ATP Finals in Turin. After defeat against Carlos Alcaraz in the final group game, which resulted in the Italian’s elimination, Musetti, fresh from completing a tour de force in the final part of the season aimed at winning the points needed to fly to Turin, explained his refusal.
“Considering my physical condition and my situation off the field, including my family situation (his second child is on the way, Ed.), I spoke with Volandri and I will not play in the Davis Cup. There is regret, unfortunately this year I will not be part of the team,” Musetti said in a press conference.
