When Jannik Sinner made the difficult call to withdraw from Italy’s Davis Cup campaign, the nation’s passionate tennis fans didn’t hold back. Criticism poured in from every corner—fans, journalists, and even a few former players raised some serious question marks about his decision. The young star, often hailed as Italy’s brightest tennis hope, suddenly found himself cornered in his own country. But amid all these, Sinner has now finally found some support from a former Italian pro…

Sinner played a crucial role in helping his nation clinch the title in 2023—their first triumph at the Davis Cup since 1976—and then again in 2024, he repeated the same. But speaking about his decision to keep his hat-trick record aside at the Davis Cup, he said, “I’m a two-time Davis Cup winner. My team and I made this decision because the season is very long at the end of the year, and I need an extra week of rest to start my preparation earlier. The goal is to get off to a good start in Australia. In the last two years, I haven’t reached my best level because I lacked time; that’s why we made this decision. We’ll see.” However, his decision to withdraw his name from the Davis Cup drew criticism from tennis legends like Nicola Pietrangeli.

Twice a Davis Cup runner-up in 1960-61, and the captain of Italy’s successful 1976 campaign called this decision “a real slap in the face for Italian sport.” But he didn’t stop there; he further added, “I don’t understand when he says it was a difficult choice. We’re talking about playing tennis, not going to war. When it comes to the Davis Cup, it’s the pinnacle; the goal of every athlete is to wear the blue jersey. Unfortunately, I know I’m talking about another era. I see that today’s world is driven by money and that the heart is put aside.” But hearing all these criticisms about Jannik Sinner, another former Italian tennis pro, Paolo Bertolucci came to the 24-year-old’s rescue. In an interview with Fanpage.it, he said, “It wasn’t just in the air; it was almost written in stone. I would have been completely surprised if he had played in the Davis Cup.”

Interestingly, Bertolucci was also part of Pietrangeli’s 1976 Davis Cup team. He further went on to speak about how tennis is already packed with big events like the Grand Slams, Masters 1000, or the ATP Finals and stated, “That’s tennis. The rest doesn’t exist. The Davis Cup was something from years and years ago, when all the tournaments didn’t exist and the Davis Cup was the best and fairest way to defend the nation’s colors.”

Bertolucci highlighted that even Carlos Alcaraz didn’t play in the 2023 edition. Further on, in Jannik Sinner’s defense, he took a jibe at the critics, saying, “He’s a freelancer, not tied to a club or a federation. He became a player at his own expense. People think about the blue jersey, but in tennis it’s not like that. It doesn’t work like in football.He’s helped us win it twice; that’s enough. And then: ‘Oh, but this time we’re playing in Italy.’ Okay, that’s three. ‘Well, next year you won three; you can win four. And then, why doesn’t he help us win a fifth?’ Guys, it’s not like that. At that point, it becomes infinite.”

Paolo Berolucci had captained the Italian Davis Cup team from 1985 to 2001, and his words carried weight—not just because of his past as a player, but because they echoed a truth many were too emotional to see. So, Jannik Sinner’s withdrawal wasn’t about indifference; it was about endurance. Bertolucci’s support comes as a timely reminder that even heroes need breathing space.

But not only him; in fact, the president of the Italian Tennis Federation, Angelo Binaghi, also stood beside Sinner in this. He said that although this is a bit “painful,” they completely understand and respect his decision. 

Although he’ll not be seen in action at the Davis Cup this year, Jannik Sinner’s 2025 campaign is far from over. Currently, he is preparing himself to take on the German Daniel Altmaier in the R32 of the Vienna Open. After that, Sinner could possibly be seen in action at the Paris Masters before trying his luck to defend his title at the ATP Finals.

Why does Jannik Sinner need to do well at the Vienna Open?

When Jannik Sinner steps onto the court in Vienna later today, the stakes will be far greater than just another ATP 500 title. For him, this tournament could be a defining chapter in his pursuit of the world number one ranking, and here’s why…

Speaking about snatching away the world number one crown from Carlos Alcaraz, Sinner said, “For me, the end of the year is very important. I’m very lucky because the ATP Finals are in Italy, and this gives me a lot of energy with my home people... This year, it’s going to be impossible.”

But is it really impossible, or is there still a faint chance for the Italian? Well, if Jannik Sinner dreams of doing so, he must begin with a deep run this week at the Vienna Open. He can earn 500 points from this tournament. But on the other hand, Alcaraz is not taking part in this tournament this year.

So, a title triumph here will reduce the gap to 2,040 with Alcaraz. Then at the Paris Masters a player can earn a maximum of 1,000 points and then a max of 1,500 at the ATP Finals. So, all Jannik Sinner needs to do now is to earn every point for the rest of the season and hope for Carlos Alcaraz’s early exits in these tournaments.

But if he fails to win the title in Vienna, he’d trail the Spaniard by 2,540 points. And then, even with his title triumphs in Paris and Turin, he would have just 11,000 points to Carlos Alcaraz’s current 11,040. So, this tournament is extremely crucial for Sinner!

The conditions in Vienna favor his game—quick courts, low bounce, and a crowd that has often rallied behind his fearless hitting. Jannik Sinner, known for his laser-sharp baseline precision and calm demeanor under pressure, thrives on such setups. So, if he can string together a deep run here, he not only boosts his ranking points but also builds vital momentum ahead of the Paris Masters and the ATP Finals—events that could ultimately decide the year-end number one battle.

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallySports. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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Edited by

Shrabana Sengupta