MALAGA, Spain — Jannik Sinner was in the locker room preparing to take the court, aiming to secure Italy’s second consecutive Davis Cup title, when his teammate Matteo Berrettini reflected on their championship aspirations. Berrettini, who won his match in the best-of-three final against the Netherlands earlier that day, emphasized the unpredictability of tennis, saying, “I know tennis. It’s unpredictable.”
Although unpredictability is often a hallmark of the sport, Sinner has been the exception to this rule lately. At just 23 years old, Sinner has displayed remarkable dominance on the court, not only winning matches but doing so without dropping a single set. He concluded his impressive season with a notable 73-6 record and captured eight titles, including victories at the Australian Open in January, the U.S. Open in September, and the ATP Finals just last week. His latest win helped Italy triumph over the Netherlands, finishing with a score of 7-6 (2), 6-2 against Tallon Griekspoor.
“Jannik in this kind of form, this kind of shape, this kind of confidence — he’s incredibly tough to beat,” Griekspoor acknowledged. Sinner has now completed the first season since Roger Federer in 2005 where a man has not lost a match in straight sets. To cap things off, he secured victories in his final 14 matches, winning 26 consecutive sets. Analyzing his last 30 contests, Sinner boasts an impressive record of 29 victories, with the only defeat occurring against the rising star and four-time major champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Berrettini expressed admiration for Sinner’s standing in the game, stating, “He just proved that he’s the best in the world.” However, discussions about Sinner’s future in 2024 cannot overlook the controversy he faced off the court. In August, ahead of the U.S. Open, he was cleared after twice testing positive for a trace amount of an anabolic steroid back in March. The World Anti-Doping Agency’s appeal against that ruling is still pending, potentially extending into the offseason.
“It’s in the head a little bit,” Sinner remarked regarding the legal situation. He explained that the outcomes of three hearings had been positive, and he remained hopeful for a favorable resolution in the future. “The most important part is that all the people who are around me, and know me as a human being, trust me,” he continued, reflecting on the emotional turmoil he faced. “Life gives you difficulties and you just have to stand for it.”
Dutch captain Paul Haarhuis shared his perspective on Sinner’s ongoing situation. “I feel that Jannik, in my personal opinion, is an unbelievably nice guy and a great player,” he expressed, acknowledging the ambiguity surrounding Sinner’s drug testing issues.
During the final match, Sinner only showed moments of hesitance on two occasions. The first came when Griekspoor broke his serve to level the second set at 2-all, a moment that energized the Dutch crowd. Sinner’s response was exemplary; he went on to win the remaining four games. The second instance of vulnerability occurred while serving for victory at 5-2, 40-love, when he lost three match points due to unforced errors. However, he quickly regained focus and closed out the match successfully shortly after.
“I knew it could be the last point of the year and I could finish an incredible season for me. This (Davis Cup) success means a lot to me,” Sinner said, recognizing the emotional challenges of the moment. “I’m human. There are always emotions. No one is a machine.” Berrettini, seated nearby during the press conference, smiled and remarked, “OK, he showed he’s human.”