DAVIS CUP FINALS

November 25, 2023

Filippo Volandri

Jannik Sinner

Lorenzo Musetti

Team Italy

Press Conference

SINNER-SONEGO/Djokovic-Kecmanovic

6-3, 6-4

Team Italy - 2

Team Serbia - 1

THE MODERATOR: We will have English questions first.

Q. Jannik, congratulations. This afternoon, did you play the match of your life? What did it feel like playing that match?

JANNIK SINNER: Match of my life, I don't know, but it's for sure very, very important. You know, as I say, it helps a lot the last competition that it's a team competition, because you get a lot of energy from your teammates, from the whole team, and then the crowd is different.

I really enjoyed playing today. It was a great match. I started off really well, and obviously in the second set he raised his level.

The third set I just tried to hold my service games and waiting for a good opportunity, which arrived on the 5-All, and I took it. Obviously it was a very crucial match for the whole team. At the end of the match, I was really happy for the team to be at least able to play a deciding doubles. You know, we played really good, and I think it was a really positive day today.

Q. Jannik, I wanted to ask you about the three match points you saved at 4-5 in the third set in the singles. Can you talk us through what was going through your head? How did you remain calm in those moments? What were you trying to do in each of those points?

JANNIK SINNER: I know that it was a really important, obviously important game. We changed, not for so long, for new balls, so I knew if I'm going to serve well that maybe I have some free points.

But I had to stay in the present moment. It was Love-40, and he missed a quite easy backhand, which gave me a little bit of confidence and belief. And then after, I served twice really good. And nothing.

You know, after these kind of games, your energy level and mental level, it's raising. I think this helped me today.

Q. I'm not sure anyone else can maybe say they have beaten Novak Djokovic twice in one afternoon. What does that achievement mean to you?

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, it means a lot. Obviously before the match we were talking that it was a really important test today, you know, trying to understand what to expect before the match.

Then I think we made a good tactical moment also before the match, and then obviously playing it is a little bit different but I think I have to be really proud about how I handle the situation.

As I said, I'm just very happy for all of us, for the team, and tomorrow we have a great opportunity. We know this, but in the other way, we will try to stay as relaxed as possible, you know, keeping a smile in our head, which is important also, and then also to be happy to be here, no?

It's not so many -- for me, it's the first time that we can play a final in Davis Cup, which means a lot for us.

Q. Jannik, just looking forward to the final, and to the other guys, please, as well, about the Australian team that you're facing in the final, you'll be playing de Minaur presumably in the second match. You have an extraordinary hold over him. I think he's only ever taken one set off of you. How much of an advantage do you think that is for you, and what confidence does that give you?

JANNIK SINNER: Well, we don't know who is going to play. Yeah, we have to decide. We have to -- you know, I have a lot of hours in my legs. This, I know.

If I play against him, it's gonna be different. You know, finals, as I said, it's always different. But let's see. It's his decision. He's the captain of the team. So he can answer you that.

Q. What would you say?

CAPTAIN FILIPPO VOLANDRI: Thanks, Jannik (smiling).

No, obviously it's our point of power. Jannik give us a lot of energy, give us a lot of confidence in ourself obviously. He's a great player, but he's not only great player; he's a great person. That's what I like.

So, yeah, he's probably in the first position to play tomorrow (smiling).

Q. What do you think of the Australian team?

CAPTAIN FILIPPO VOLANDRI: Strong, different from Serbians. Maybe more, maybe closer than Netherlands as singles and doubles.

But still, we have to take care of us, thinking about tomorrow, enjoying today but focus for tomorrow, so head to tomorrow.