ROME — Jannik Sinner’s resolution to not play within the Davis Cup Remaining Eight for hosts Italy has been met with a sense of abandonment in his residence nation, the place he was fiercely defended when he filed a doping lawsuit earlier this yr.
Second-ranked Sinner, who has led Italy to tennis’ largest crew trophy prior to now two years, stated he most popular making ready for subsequent season reasonably than serving to the Azzurri search one other title in Bologna subsequent month.
“It wasn’t a simple resolution, however after Turin (the place the ATP Finals are held the week earlier than the Davis Cup), the purpose is to get off to a very good begin in Australia,” Sinner stated, referring to the Australian Open, the place he’s the two-time defending champion.
“I do not suppose so, however every week of preparation in that interval might make a distinction,” Sinner advised Sky Italia on Monday from Vienna, the place he will probably be enjoying this week. “We’ve already gained the Davis Cup in 2023 and 2024, and this time we made this resolution along with the crew.”
The entrance web page headline in Tuesday’s Gazzetta dello Sport translated to “Suppose once more, sinners.”
An accompanying editorial in Gazzetta took challenge with Sinner, who stated he had already gained the Davis Cup twice, noting that he defended his title over the weekend in a profitable exhibition in Saudi Arabia.
“Aren’t you going to pay one other $6 million to return to Riyadh? And when you win Wimbledon, you are not going to London? Pasta, espresso… promote an Italian product each 5 minutes. Do it with tennis,” the Gazzetta editorial stated, referring to a number of Italian manufacturers that Sinner represents on TV and different promoting.
“This can be a large blow to Italian sport,” added Nicola Pietrangeli, 92, a two-time French Open champion and Italy’s most profitable participant till Sinner’s arrival.
When Sinner was handed a three-month suspension for doping in February, Italians extensively defended him, however different high gamers advised he was receiving preferential remedy due to his standing and the size of his suspension, which means he by no means missed a Grand Slam match.
This isn’t the primary time Sinner has been criticized for not representing Italy. That occurred when he did not play within the Davis Cup in 2023, and it additionally occurred a yr later when he did not play within the Paris Olympics.
Rising up within the German-speaking area of Alto Adige in northern Italy, Sinner additionally confronted an underlying feeling that she was not totally Italian.
Simply final month, an Italian rapper was accused of inciting racial hatred after releasing lyrics for music by which Thinner spoke in an “Adolf Hitler accent.” Rapper Fedez later apologized.
Adriano Panatta, who led Italy to their solely Davis Cup victory in 1976, defended Sinner’s selection, noting that competitors inside the crew was not as essential because it was throughout his enjoying days.
“As we speak’s tennis calls for full dedication from gamers. Gamers are just like the CEOs of the businesses that bear their names,” Panatta wrote in Corriere della Sera journal. “Sinner is a two-time Davis Cup champion and now wants a break to organize for his major targets: successful the Slam, enjoying to (Carlos) Alcaraz’s stage and regaining primary. These are his priorities.”
Paolo Bertolucci, who additionally performed on the 1976 crew and is now a TV commentator, agreed with Panatta’s opinion.
“I see no downside with this resolution,” Bertolucci advised Gazzetta. “Tennis has modified. What’s essential at this time is the Grand Slam and the ATP Finals. The remaining are secondary.”
