We have strengthened the fall with Canada, Volandry – Sports

(ANSA) – Rome, November 28 – Filippo Volandri, captain of the Italian Davis Cup team, said that the defeat by Canada in the group stage was a decisive moment for the response of the “Azzazzurri” team that won the 111th edition of the tournament. Traditional tournament.

“The moment that strengthened us was the Bologna experience.

“The 3-0 loss to Canada in the first match, when we were favourites, brought us together a lot,” Volandri said two days after Italy’s win in Malaga, Spain.

“For the first time we use the word family, it’s not something out of the question. (Matteo) Berrettini was also important even though he wasn’t able to play,” the captain said of the world number 91, who is inactive for mental health reasons.

Italy recovered from the loss to Canada, then beat Chile and Sweden to qualify for the finals, where it beat the Netherlands and Serbia before winning the title over Australia.

The Azzurro team defeated the Netherlands 2-1 and Serbia with the same score, in which world number one Novak Djokovic wasted three match points against Jannik Sinner (4), which could have changed history.

“We never lose confidence in players, but it would be hypocritical for me to say I didn’t see it ugly. Sinner’s quality is that he never gives up, and when he comes back even when he’s 40-0, he’s very motivated. “He knows it’s the first point of something It can be basic. He played the first point like it was the last,” Volandri praised the world number four.

Regarding motivating his players, Volandri revealed that it is “a technical and psychological function, but it is more related to leadership than to technique.”

He explained: “The boys have coaches that I work with all year round. I only take responsibility for 3 or 4 weeks. I’ve seen them grow, but we talk in a different way.”

The Italian explained: “A sinner requires a kind of communication that is not excessive. (Matteo) Musetti and (Matteo) Arnaldi need to talk a lot. (Lorenzo) must arrive at Sonego with fun and enthusiasm, never with something serious.” Captain over the other members of the Italian team.

“I also have great people to share this success with. I couldn’t have achieved it alone and I wouldn’t have achieved it either. Now we’re talking about the captain and the players, but behind him there’s a great group.” Volandry insisted.

Speaking to Rai Radio2, the Italian captain confirmed that “to get here we had to overcome thousands of difficulties, many injuries, and a few controversies.”

“Little by little we realize what we did. It was shocking,” said Volandri, who said he slept the last two days to regain “the sleep I didn’t get in the last two months.”

“I always slept well, but my psychiatrist made me see that to succeed we have to face some sleepless nights. We face everything,” Volandri concluded.

Arnaldi, ranked 44 in the world, who earned the first point in the final against Australia by defeating Alexei Popyrin (40), also expressed his happiness.

“I’m happy to win for my country, it’s something special.

“It is the most important title I have won so far,” Arnaldi told Italian news agency ANSA.

The 22-year-old player, who is from the city of San Remo in northwestern Italy, announced that he will travel on Thursday, the 30th of this month, to Australia to begin his “winter preparations,” believing the start of the 2024 season for the men’s circuit.

Arnaldo confirmed: “My dreams are to win the Grand Slam championship and reach the top of the rankings, although I do not like to talk about goals. Rather, I prefer to live day by day, and always try to improve.” Who started his tennis career at the Della Fosse Club. (I forget).


   

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