"It's an affront to Italian sports": Pietrangeli harshly criticizes Sinner

Italy deprived of its hero: Jannik Sinner draws a line on the Davis Cup to prepare for 2026. A decision that makes Nicola Pietrangeli jump, scandalized by what he considers a betrayal.

Italy, the two-time defending Davis Cup champion, will have to do without Jannik Sinner, its number one player. The four-time Grand Slam winner, crowned at Melbourne and Wimbledon this year, has decided to skip the finals.

An absence he justifies by his desire to arrive in peak form at the Australian Open, where he will aim for a three-peat in 2026. However, these arguments haven't been well received by Italian legend Nicola Pietrangeli, who didn't hold back toward the 24-year-old champion:

"It's an affront to Italian sports. I don't understand when he mentions a difficult choice. He has to play tennis, not go to war. When it comes to the Davis Cup, I get annoyed because a player's objective should be to wear the Italian jersey.

But unfortunately, I'm speaking from another era. I hope he won't go play elsewhere during the Davis Cup. Today, the world is filled with money and we're leaving heart aside," he stated to ANSA.