Haarhuis, captain of the Netherlands, beaten in the Davis Cup final by Italy: "I told Sinner we had a Dutch passport for him".

On Sunday, Italy retained their Davis Cup title by holding their own against the Netherlands in the final. Buoyed all week long by an excellent, untouchable Jannik Sinner, and ably supported by Matteo Berrettini, the Italians confirmed their status as the world's best tennis nation.

Interviewed after his team's defeat, Paul Haarhuis, captain of the Netherlands, paid a humorous tribute to the Italian team and in particular to its leader, Jannik Sinner: "I told him we had a Dutch passport for him next year.

We'll do everything we can. Because he speaks German, it will be very easy for him to learn Dutch."