Jannik Sinner has broken his silence on the surprising news that he will not be part of Italy’s squad for the 2025 Davis Cup Finals, revealing his decision to skip the prestigious team event in order to prepare for the 2026 season. The World No. 2, who has been the cornerstone of Italy’s back-to-back Davis Cup triumphs, will instead focus on rest and training to ensure he starts the next year in peak condition.
What Does Jannik Sinner’s Withdrawal Mean for Italy’s Davis Cup Campaign?
Sinner’s departure comes as the defending champions gears up to host the Davis Cup Final 8 in Bologna from November 18 to 23. Their roster features Matteo Berrettini, Lorenzo Musetti, Flavio Cobolli, Simone Bolelli, and Andrea Vavassori.
While the team remains competitive on paper, Sinner’s presence in previous finals was instrumental. In 2024, he won all his singles matches without dropping a set, helping Italy defeat the Netherlands in the final. His decision to step back raises questions about Italy’s strategy and who will take on the leadership mantle in his absence.
Italy captain Filippo Volandri acknowledged the decision while expressing confidence in the remaining squad, saying, “Sinner has not confirmed his availability for the 2025 Davis Cup. The Davis Cup is and will always be his home, and I am sure he will return to the team soon.”
“In the meantime, I rely on a group ready to fight and give their all for the blue jersey: Bologna will be an exciting adventure once again. I know these guys, and I am confident that the future will bring us great satisfaction.”
Speaking to reporters at Vienna’s media day, Sinner explained, “I’ve already won the Davis Cup twice. I decided with my team to do this because the season is very long and I need an extra week of rest to properly start my preparation for 2026. My goal is to be in good shape for Australia. In the last two years, I didn’t arrive in top form because I had little time.”
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Sinner’s choice follows a busy period, including his recent victory at the Six Kings Slam exhibition, which earned him $6 million for three days of play. With a demanding 2025 schedule behind him, the two-time defending Australian Open champion is setting his sights on the 2026 season, aiming to arrive at the first Major of the year in peak physical and mental shape.
Over the past two Davis Cup campaigns, Sinner has been the backbone of Italy’s success, winning all nine of his matches, including six singles and three doubles rubbers. Italy will face Austria in the quarterfinals, with the winner meeting either France or Belgium in the semifinals.
Meanwhile, Sinner is currently in Austria, gearing up for his title defense at the ATP 500 event in Vienna. The top seed will take on Daniel Altmaier in the first round. This will be their fourth meeting on the ATP Tour, with the Italian holding a 2-1 head-to-head record. The winner of this match will face either Tomáš Macháč or compatriot Flavio Cobolli in the second round.
