DAVIS CUP FINALS

November 21, 2024

Filippo Volandri

Jannik Sinner

Matteo Berrettini

Team Italy

Press Conference

BERRETTINI-SINNER/Gonzalez-Molteni

6-4, 7-5

Team Italy - 2

Team Argentina - 1

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations, Team Italy. Questions in English.

Q. Jannik, looks like you're having a lot of fun out there and enjoying it. How different is it playing in team events like this compared to kind of normal tour singles? Same question for Matteo after Jannik.

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, it's a completely different feeling. We have great friendship with all of the team. When you have good friendship off the court and in very important and delicate moments, you feel a bit more safe, and, you know, sure about yourself and about your partner.

You know, this today was a very good doubles. You know, he played unbelievable, and, you know, I tried also to stay there. You know, he gave me a lot of confidence also, you know, to play, because it's also very difficult for Filippo to choose who to put on court not only in doubles but also in singles.

We have a very strong group, and I think we are all happy about today's performance and happy to be again in the semis.

MATTEO BERRETTINI: Yeah, it's always been special playing team competition matches. We played the Davis Cup, United Cup, ATP Cup. We played a lot of things. When I have the chance, I always like to play. The Laver Cup is always special, as well, maybe because we're tired of playing by ourselves just for ourselves (smiling) and when we have these chances, it's always nice. But for your country, something special, you know.

And hearing the National Anthem before the match and seeing, you know, all the people coming and supporting you, it's something really special. I'm so glad to be back in the team this year. You know, I always try to give my best today. I played good, but when you're playing with Jannik, pressure is off a little bit (smiling). You know he's going to play great. Thanks to the captain for choosing me. We look ahead, obviously.

Q. Matteo, you have won all your matches in the group stage in Davis Cup and now today. Do you feel unbeatable wearing that uniform?

MATTEO BERRETTINI: In Italy we do something, like this (hand gesture). No, not unbeatable at all. I just feel I'm really strong in my head. You know, mentally when I play for Italy I feel like I have an extra energy.

It's all about that. I think it's putting your heart, you know, when you're playing and look in your teammates' eyes and just feeling that they want to be there and you have to play for them, as well, because they could play there. We have one of the strongest team in doubles, Bolelli and Vavassori, they played an unbelievable year. Imagine how healthy is the Italian movement in tennis.

They actually help us so much before doubles. We talk with them this morning. They told me, you know, like, if we play, how to play, and, you know, they know them, the team, really well. It's special, and I think you guys saw it.

Q. Jannik, how do you feel after the pretty quick turnaround from Turin? I know it's not a great distance to travel, but going from the final and winning that to coming here and playing now? And also, if you look ahead to playing Australia in the semis, as well.

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, I mean, you know, you have big responsibility and different kind of pressure when you walk in the court, when you know that you have to play for or have the honor to play for such a beautiful country.

You know, I just try to play, you know, the best I can every day. I haven't had so much time to adapt to this court, so I'm very happy how I handled the situation today.

Yeah, and I think that's it. You know, Saturday, tomorrow, is going to be one day off, which hopefully helps me to get also a bit more used to these conditions. Obviously the practice courts and the tournament court is slightly different pace-wise, but I'm happy to be here, happy to give my credit to the team, and then we see how it goes Saturday.

You know, it's very unpredictable. We saw it today also and yesterday how matches can go. We just try to play our best and make a good team effort, and the rest we cannot really control.

Q. First of all, congratulations to Filippo for great nominations, and to you guys for playing amazing doubles. With this performance I think you could win not one, or multiple Grand Slams, but I know you focus on the singles career. Maybe after ten years you will play like this. And a question to Jannik. I saw your first match in 2019 in Budapest. I think you remember this match with Mate Valkusz. Then in Rotterdam you play also amazing. But after these few years, today I see the difference and you play incredible. What you improve the most throughout these years?

JANNIK SINNER: I think a lot has changed, no, from that moment or from these moments there, but I feel like when you're young it's a bit different, no? The improvements you see a bit faster, the physical aspect has changed, you know, tennis-wise and mentally. You know, you get to grow, you become slowly a more mature person, which is our nature.

And I think, you know, that's it. Always try to improve as player having, you know, good people around me, and, you know, very -- yeah, and, you know, that's it. Back in the days, it was very, very nice and every match it's something where you learn about. It's still the case, you know. It's a huge honor to be here and just trying to give my best and also to learn about these situations.