For the third consecutive year, Italy has emerged victorious in the Davis Cup Finals, overpowering Spain with a decisive 2-0 victory in Bologna, captivating the enthusiastic home crowd of 10,000 fans.
Flavio Cobolli, whose exuberance was palpable, exclaimed, “I don’t know what I did today. I don’t know where I am. The only thing I know is that I am a world champion!” His heartfelt declaration underscored the significance of the triumph for the Italian squad.
Despite being unable to showcase their strongest line-up, Italy capitalized on their available talent. The absence of notable players like Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti was felt, but the Italian side still presented formidable firepower. Spain, missing its own superstar Carlos Alcaraz, faced an uphill battle as he opted to rest after an exhausting week at the ATP Finals in Turin.
Matteo Berrettini launched the finals with an impressive performance, swiftly defeating Pablo Carreno Busta with a score of 6-3, 6-4. This decisive victory set the tone for Italy. The world No. 56 showcased his skill, firing 13 aces and not facing a single break point throughout the 79-minute contest, which marked his 11th Davis Cup win since 2022.
The match then shifted focus to the second singles contest, where Jaume Munar appeared to give Spain a glimmer of hope by effortlessly taking the first set, 6-1. However, Cobolli, ranked 22nd in the world, demonstrated resilience, bouncing back to secure a thrilling win with scores of 1-6, 7-6(5), 7-5, ultimately sealing Italy’s championship. The home fans erupted in joy as Cobolli clinched victory in the decisive match.
In the semi-finals leading up to the final, Cobolli had displayed significant tenacity, saving seven match points against Belgium’s Zizou Bergs. In the final, although he faced an early setback by dropping serve in the second set, he broke back and fought back fiercely, ultimately prevailing on his seventh match point to drive his team to victory.
Post-match, Cobolli was clearly moved, stating, “It’s impossible to describe this feeling. I dreamed a lot for this night. We cannot lose for our country. Sometimes you learn, but you never lose.” He reiterated the importance of the support from their fans, likening the team’s spirit to that of the Italian soccer team that won the World Cup in 2006, celebrating that night as “the best day of my life.”
As a result, Italy cements its status as a powerhouse in the tennis world, marking its fourth Davis Cup victory and joining the ranks of only a few nations to win both the Davis Cup and the Billie Jean King Cup in the same season, alongside the USA and Australia. Spain’s journey to the finals included victories over Czechia and Germany, but they fell short in this battle for the title, unable to recapture the glory they last experienced in 2019.
