Filippo Volandri, in an interview given to the Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, shared that Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Sonego have expressed their desire to compete in the Olympic doubles tournament, with the goal of winning a historic medal.
The Paris Olympic Games 2024 will take place on the clay courts of the Roland Garros after the grass season.
“Everyone feels like the captain of the Davis Cup team, but no one would take my position. I have grown accustomed to it. Bolelli and Vavassori were exceptional, but including two doubles players would alter the balance a bit. Sinner and Sonego performed exceptionally well in the Finals, to the point where they would like to team up for the Olympics. However, there is still time to decide,” Volandri stated before shifting his focus to Sinner’s achievements.
“We knew it was just a matter of time. Jannik is a unique player, and the Grand Slams are now within his reach. With a champion like him, Italy will always be at the forefront of winning the Davis Cup, especially because he is surrounded by teammates who possess great technical and personal qualities.
The success in Australia was mirrored in the Davis Cup. After defeating Novak Djokovic, Italy became the favorite in Malaga and Melbourne. The management of pressure in both cases was flawless,” he explained.
The doubles matches played a crucial role in Italy’s triumph in the Davis Cup. Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Sonego excelled, impressing Davis Cup captain Filippo Volandri, as they secured victories in the challenging doubles matches against Holland and Serbia.
Without the synergy between these two young Italian tennis players, the team would have faced significant difficulties in winning the Davis Cup after 47 years.
Vincenzo Santopadre, former coach of Matteo Berrettini, praised the remarkable progress showcased by Jannik Sinner.
“Tennis is characterized by the rapid succession of tournaments. It feels like a lifetime has passed since his Melbourne triumph, considering that he will be back on the court in Rotterdam next week. In this sport, one must always look ahead and work hard.”
Santopadre shared words of admiration for the team supporting Jannik Sinner, consisting of coaches Simone Vagnozzi and Darren Cahill. “This is currently the best possible team for him. We can see it, understand it, and feel it. What stands out is that no one wants to be the center of attention. They know how to handle success with humility and a strong work ethic. The team members share the same values as him, which enhances their performance.”
What lies ahead for Sinner in 2024 after his success in Melbourne? “I don’t want to speculate on whether he will win another Grand Slam or not because we shouldn’t burden him with unnecessary pressure. However, the strength of players like Jannik is their ability to identify what needs to be done and then take action.”