Cobolli, Berrettini secure Davis Cup threepeat for hosts in Bologna
A new chapter has been written in the story of this incredible dynasty of Italian tennis, this time thanks to the efforts of childhood friends Flavio Cobolli and Matteo Berrettini.
The pair went undefeated in singles all week in Bologna to secure a historic third consecutive Davis Cup title for Italy, capping their efforts with a 2-0 victory over Spain in the final, in front of a 10,000-strong capacity crowd at SuperTennis Arena.
Italy are the first nation to win three straight Davis Cup titles in the post-Challenge Round era and the first since USA, who won five in a row from 1968 to 1972.
Such is the strength and depth of this current Italian talent pool, that they can still be crowned world champions in the absence of their top two players – world No.1 Jannik Sinner, and No.8 Lorenzo Musetti.
Berrettini gave the hosts the opening point of the final on Sunday, defeating Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3, 6-4 to extend his Davis Cup singles winning streak to 11 matches in a row.
It was then Cobolli’s turn to play hometown hero and just as he did against Austria in the quarter-finals and Belgium in the semi-finals, the 23-year-old Florentino delivered the winning point with a hard-fought 1-6, 7-6(5), 7-5 victory over Jaume Munar.
Two days earlier, Cobolli won the sixth-longest tiebreak in Davis Cup history to beat Belgium’s Zizou Bergs 6-3, 6-7(5), 7-6(15), saving seven match points along the way.
When he sealed the deal for Italy against Spain, he was understandably in tears and at a loss for words.
“It’s impossible to describe this feeling. It’s impossible,” said an emotional Cobolli after the final.
“I dreamed a lot for this night. I played an amazing match today, I don’t know how I won because the match was tough. Jaume played so good.
“You know, we cannot lose for our country. sometimes you learn, but you never lose if you give all what you have in your heart.
“I don’t know what I did today, I don’t know where I am, but the only thing that I know is that I’m the world champion.”
After Berrettini won the opening point of the final, he had to go off court for a routine anti-doping test and he knew he wouldn’t be able to watch the first part of Cobolli’s match.
By the time he was back courtside to support his teammate, Cobolli was already a set down.
“Lorenzo (Sonego) actually texted me, ‘Come here, we need you’,” recalled Berrettini.
“We started screaming as loud as we could. I think that's the strength, the weapon that we have. We are so together. We play together. Doesn't matter who's playing. We're playing in five every time, and six with the captain.
“It was a team effort even though we played just two singles. That's why it feels special.”
The support was just what Cobolli needed to turn things around.
Italy has now won the Davis Cup on four occasions but this was the first time the players managed to triumph on home soil.
It's also the second consecutive year where the Italians have won both the Davis Cup and the Billie Jean King Cup.
“I feel like every year is different for different reasons. First time I watched it from outside. I couldn't touch it and lift it. I used that kind of energy to come back and win it last year,” said Berrettini, who was sidelined with an injury when his teammates won in 2023.
“This year I used the motivation to play here in Bologna during the summer when I wasn't feeling my best. I have to say the Captain (Filippo Volandri), the Federation, Umberto Rianna, who is not here but is a big part of this team, helped me and always gave me the confidence to tell me if I was fit, I would have been considered, which I don't give it for granted.
“It's a special feeling.”
Italy captain Volandri admits seeing his players be crowned world champions on home soil hit different.
“It's amazing feeling. It's really amazing sensation. Yeah, we won three Davis Cup, but this one is completely different in front of our crowd, in our country,” said Volandri.
“From my side, I didn't cry for the first two, but I cried for this one because it means a lot for me. I have to only say thanks to these guys. They amazing, the effort. This unbelievable trophy. I'm so proud. We all have to be proud of these guys.”
On their part, the Spaniards were playing their first final since they won their sixth Davis Cup in 2019.
They too were missing their top star as Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the competition after losing the final of the ATP Finals to Sinner in Turin a week earlier.
Munar was disappointed to lose but gave credit to Cobolli for stepping up when he needed to.
“He had the capacity on raising the level a little bit when he needed. He ended up to playing a very, very high and quality match I think,” said Munar, who was called up for Davis Cup duty this year for the first time since his debut in 2017.
“Couple of details. I tried my best. It wasn't enough. That's it.
“Then the crowd was simply perfect I think. They didn't disturb at all. They were, of course, cheering for Italy. It was a great atmosphere I think. This is Davis Cup. I was expecting something like that.”
ROLAND-GARROS
18 May - 7 June 2026
