What the Netherlands Team Captain told Jannik Sinner at the net after he beat Tallon Griekspoor in Davis Cup final

Posted by Admin November 25, 2024 Tennis

Jannik Sinner and Matteo Berrettini denied the Netherlands a famous victory as Italy retained their Davis Cup title in Malaga.

The Dutch team’s historic week, which included milestone victories over Rafael Nadal’s Spain and Germany, ended in heartbreak as Italy’s powerful and composed lineup proved too strong in their first-ever Davis Cup final.

Jannik Sinner, the world number one, capped off his extraordinary season with a determined 7-6 (7-2), 6-2 victory over Tallon Griekspoor, clinching a 2-0 win for Italy.

Earlier, Matteo Berrettini had delivered a commanding performance against Botic van de Zandschulp, securing a 6-4, 6-2 win to give Italy the advantage in Malaga.

Surprise finalists, a neat Netherlands outfit performed spectacularly under captain Paul Haarhuis, despite their roster of far less high-profile players.

Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images for ITF

What Netherlands Captain told Jannik Sinner after Davis Cup defeat

After Sinner sealed Italy’s second consecutive Davis Cup title, his dominance on court caught the attention of not just fans but also the Dutch captain, Haarhuis.

The world number one had just capped off an extraordinary season, with yet another clinical and confident display.

Recognizing the Italian’s unrivalled brilliance, Haarhuis couldn’t resist sharing a lighthearted moment at the net, delivering a witty comment that drew smiles all around.

“I told him we have a Dutch passport for him next year,” Haarhuis joked. “We will do anything. Because he speaks German, so Dutch will be very easy for him to learn.”

Q. I saw you speaking to Jannik at the end of the tie. Could tell us about what did you say to him?

Paul Haarhuis: I told him we have a Dutch passport for him next year. We will do anything. Because he speaks German, so Dutch will be very easy for him to learn😂

(…)

— Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) November 24, 2024

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Indeed, all week it felt that Italy effectively started every tie with a 1-0 lead.

If the opening match was won, Italy had all but won the tie, with Sinner having lost just three hard-court matches all season – from that guided him to seven ATP titles on the surface.

Can anyone topple Italy at the Davis Cup?

The Davis Cup, famed for testing the depth of a nation’s tennis players, has proven to be a true test of team strength and strategy.

As seen this year, strong decision-making is critical – the United States’ controversial choice to bench their doubles specialists in a decisive match against Australia was a gamble that ultimately backfired.

Italy’s back-to-back titles underline their prowess and set a warning to the tennis world. The resurgence of Berrettini, who seems poised to return to the top 20 if he remains injury-free, and the breakout year for Lorenzo Musetti showcase the team’s depth.

With an abundance of talent, Sinner at the helm, and a winning mentality that runs through the squad, Italy’s dominance may be hard to break.

For now, the question remains: who has the resources, strategy, and depth to dethrone them?