Italy cemented their status as the dominant force in world team tennis on Sunday, defeating Spain 2–0 in Bologna to secure a third consecutive Davis Cup title. In front of a roaring home crowd, the Azzurri delivered another performance of grit, depth, and resilience — all without their two biggest stars.
The decisive moment came from Flavio Cobolli, who produced a remarkable comeback to clinch the title. After being outplayed in a one-sided first set, losing 1–6, the 22-year-old rallied with courage and composure. He edged a tense second-set tiebreak 7–6 (7/5) before sealing the victory 7–5 in the third, sending the Bologna crowd into wild celebration.
Cobolli’s fighting spirit ensured Italy retained the trophy without the need for a doubles decider — a testament to the squad’s depth and belief.
Earlier in the day, Matteo Berrettini had laid the foundation with a calm and controlled performance. The former Wimbledon finalist cruised past Pablo Carreno Busta 6–3, 6–4, giving captain Filippo Volandri the best possible start.
Berrettini’s win meant that doubles duo Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori were once again not required. Remarkably, Italy completed their entire title run in northern Italy without losing a single match.
What makes this triumph even more impressive is who wasn’t there.
Italy were without world top-10 players Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti, both major absentees who opted out of defending the title on home soil. Sinner, fresh off high-pressure ATP Finals battles, and Musetti, managing workload and form, left a sizeable hole in the roster — one that many thought would be too difficult to overcome.
But instead of faltering, Italy found new heroes. Berrettini rediscovered his rhythm, Cobolli announced himself on the big stage, and the entire team rose collectively to the moment.
Spain also entered the final depleted. World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, a six-time Grand Slam champion, was unavailable after injuring his hamstring in his ATP Finals showdown with Sinner just a week prior. His absence left Spain leaning heavily on depth players and rising talents.
Still, Spain pushed hard — especially in the opening set of the Cobolli-Munar clash — but ultimately couldn’t match Italy’s determination or home-court firepower.
Ahead of the final, the International Tennis Federation defended the competition amid questions about top stars missing out. Despite some high-profile absences, several top-20 players were present earlier in the tournament, including Taylor Fritz, Alex de Minaur, Holger Rune, and Casper Ruud.
Their presence, even without deep runs, underscores that elite players remain committed — even if scheduling, form, and injuries influence participation.
With this latest triumph, Italy now stands at the forefront of modern Davis Cup history. A three-peat is rare in the current competitive landscape, and achieving it without their two highest-ranked players speaks volumes about the nation’s depth, culture, and rising talent.
The message from Bologna is clear:
Italy’s dynasty is real — and it’s far from over.
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