President Sergio Mattarella on
Wednesday received the Italian men's and women's tennis teams
that triumphed in the 2024 Davis Cup and BJK Cup at the Quirinal
Palace in Rome.
The head of State also paid his compliments to Italy's world
number one Jannik Sinner, who was not at the ceremony as he is
resting after retaining his Australian Open singles title for
his third Grand Slam triumph.
"The year started well with Sinner's victory and (Simone)
Bolelli and (Andrea) Vavassori in the men's doubles final of the
Australian Open," Mattarella said.
"It (2024) was a year of great successes. An extraordinary
season for Italy".
In addition to helping Italy retain the Davis Cup, Sinner also
became Italy first-ever singles number one last year, when he
won eight titles, including the US and Australian Opens.
"Now we await the third Davis Cup victory, although it is not
indispensable to have it right away," Mattarella said.
"This year (2024) victory in the Davis Cup was also happily
accompanied by the victory of the Azzurre in the event named
after Billie Jean King.
"I followed both extensively".
Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) President Giovanni Malagò said
he was "sorry" that Sinner had failed to make the event.
Italian Tennis Federation (FITP) President Angelo Binaghi
stressed that Sinner, who suffered a bad turn in one of his
matches in Melbourne, had not snubbed Mattarella.
"It wasn't a slight," Binaghi said.
"Our president is of such a high level that he understood very
well what Sinner's problems are.
"We chose this date precisely because we thought it was the only
possible window (in the calendar), but the number 1 guest
couldn't come.
"It is clear that I am extremely sorry but let's not forget what
we saw on TV about 10 days ago.
"The lad's psycho-physical situation needs the utmost care, his
health is a priority".
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