Philip Volandri, non-playing captain of the Italy Davis Cup team, has called up five Italians for the final phase of Malaga 2024, scheduled from 19 to 24 November on the indoor hard court of the “Palacio de Deportes José María Martín Carpena”.
The players called up are: Jannik Sinner (number 1 in the ranking), Lorenzo Musetti (number 19), Flavio Cobolli (number 32), Andrea Vavassori (number 9 in the doubles ranking) and Simone Bolelli (number 12 in doubles). As can be seen, the name of Matteo Arnaldi is not there. But also, and above all, that of Matteo Berrettini who, in Bologna, was the driving force of the Italian team, on and off the court. Why? Very simple: the names can be changed, this branching is not definitive. The coach himself confirms it: “This year we will return to Malaga with the aim of honoring, as always, the Italian jersey and giving our all for our country. I would like to underline that these pre-calls are based on the current ranking. From now until November I will collect all the elements that will allow me to make the definitive call-ups, based on the physical and mental condition of our boys. The squad is made up of important players, all of them of the highest level, on whom I know I can count.”
Very clear words: current ranking, waiting to see what the conditions of form will be. It is clear that, with a Berrettini in good health and shape, Volandri will not do without him. And anyone is expendable. “Honestly, the only one who has a guaranteed place is a guy who has done something in these last few years” said Berrettini in Bologna, and the reference was clearly to Sinner.
Volandri has often emphasized the abundance of “human resources available”: “We are all working to be ready for the appointment with the Final 8. In the quarterfinals we will have to face Argentina, an important team: Guillermo Coria has at his disposal singles players of absolute value such as Cerundolo, Etcheverry, Baez and a quality doubles team like the one composed of Molteni and Gonzalez. We, however, have a strong team, composed of exceptional guys who form a group that finds its strength precisely in cohesion. I can therefore only look with optimism to November and to the future of the Davis Cup”.
There are no surprises or surprising choices. No one has a guaranteed place.
#Davis #Cup #Malaga #Sinner #Berrettini #happened
– 2024-09-23 22:01:07
