«I-ta-lia, I-ta-lia», ruge el Martin Carpena. The same clamor had been heard days before on the adjacent runway. The flag Tricolor it waves above the rest. It is the symbol of victory. The one of Paolini and company in the feminine and Sinner and his male entourage. The tennis of nations speaks Italian after a historic double with the achievement of the Davis Cup and the Billie Jean King Cup.
It’s a sweet moment that transalpine tennis is going through, regardless of gender. Fifth time so far this century that the women’s tournament has been sealed. Third time they have done it in the male sphere and first time they coincide in time and form. They thus become the fifth nation to achieve the double after the United States (1963, 1969, 1978, 1979, 1981 and 1982), Australia (1964, 1965 and 1973), the Czech Republic, in 2012, and more recently Russia, in 2021.
First the rackets led by a colossal Paolini prevailed. Small in proportions, huge when it enters a tennis court. He denied Sramkova with her head while the Italian was already prepared to subtract and put another break point, the tenth of the match for her. Nothing stops him.
Not even the vertigo of having glory within reach breaks his racket. Think and execute. And under that slogan he surpasses his Slovak rival (6-2, 6-1) and takes the fifth Billie Jean King Cup for Italy. Until this year, only those most specialized in the circuit knew Jasmine Paolini. Until this year she had never managed to break down the wall of the top 25 in the WTA ranking. Until this year…
Until this year everything has changed. The Italian has emerged as one of the great attractions of women’s tennis in particular and Italian tennis in general. In 2024 he has won the Dubai Masters 1000, reached the finals of Wimbledon and Roland Garros and won the gold medal at the Olympic Games, the success of his life. Although since this Wednesday he is fighting hard with the Billie Jean King Cup that he has secured after winning the decisive point.
Berrettini and Sinner take over
It is said that when something works it is better not to touch it. The Berrettini and Sinner formula had given excellent results in the semifinals. Why change? must have thought Filippo Volandricaptain of the Italian team. Matteo first, Jannik later and another Davis marching. Immaculate roadmap.
Where is the victory? Asks the anthem of Italy. In Málaga Matteo Berrettini responds first and Jannik Sinner then. Their victories against Van de Zanschulp (6-4, 6-2) and Griekspoor (7-6, 6-2) respectively confirm the arrival of the Italian team for the second consecutive year in the heaven of national tennis. Inhospitable territory in the previous 46. First double for Italy to reach the Olympus with the Davis and the Billie Jean King Cup.
