Italy’s Davis Cup Duel: A Homegrown Hat-Trick Sealed in Bologna

Historic hat-trick secured on home soil

Italy claimed a historic third consecutive Davis Cup title, becoming the first nation to win three in a row in the post-Challenge Round era that began in 1972, after a 2-0 final triumph over Spain on Sunday.

Following titles in Malaga in 2023 and 2024, Italy completed the hat-trick in front of their own fans at the SuperTennis Arena in Bologna, in front of a fervent crowd of around 10,000.

Two winning performances seal the crown

Matteo Berrettini got Italy ahead with a solid win over Pablo Carreño Busta, 6-3, 6-4, delivering the crucial early momentum for the hosts.

In the decisive doubles, Flavio Cobolli delivered the final blow, overcoming a slow start to defeat Jaume Munar in a dramatic three-set clash, 1-6, 7-6, 7-5, to clinch the title for Italy and send the arena into a frenzy.

Depth, leadership, and a moment of history

Italy’s victory left no doubt about the strength of their depth, as Cobolli and Berrettini anchored the team under captain Filippo Volandri. The win also marked Italy’s remarkable achievement of becoming the first non-Big Four nation to win both the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup in the same season on more than one occasion, joining the United States and Australia in that rare club.

Notably, the triumph came without stars Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti, underscoring the current generation’s breadth and versatility as the squad celebrated together on home soil.

As Cobolli sealed the capstone point, he was joined by his team-mates and a jubilant crowd, with Berrettini the first to celebrate at the net as coach Filippo Volandri looked on with pride. The final’s atmosphere was electric, and the chant of “Forza Flavio” rang around the arena.

Notes on a dramatic final

Earlier in the final, Berrettini gave Italy the lead by defeating Pablo Carreño Busta 6-3, 6-4, delivering the crucial early momentum for the hosts.

Spain’s response created a charged atmosphere, with audible responses from the crowd and some momentary tensions, but the home team steadied itself. The stage was then set for Cobolli’s drama-filled rubber, where a convincing late surge sealed the title.

Ultimately the victory validated Italy’s depth, as the team overcame the absence of top-10 stars and relied on a cohesive performance across the weekend in Bologna.

In a wider context, this win made Italy the first non-Big Four nation to win both the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup in the same season on multiple occasions, a nod to the durability and breadth of their current generation’s talent.

The moment was defined by the partnership of Cobolli and Berrettini, two players who grew up together in Italian tennis circles and now stood side by side at the moment of triumph. Cobolli’s forehand winner to close the match unleashed a campus-wide roar as the rest of the squad joined in the celebrations on court, while Volandri watched with a mixture of relief and pride.

Kudos to the home crowd and the organizers, who kept the energy high as Italy clinched the title in front of a cheering audience in Bologna.

Final thoughts – Italy’s victory story is as much about depth as stars, a testament to a program that can deliver when it counts. The bench and the youngsters stepped up when called upon, and the country celebrated a historic chapter in its tennis saga.

Sniper punchlines
Punchline 1: If this final were a sniper duel, Italy’s bench fired three clean headshots—hat-trick secured, and Spain never saw it coming.
Punchline 2: Sinner and Musetti, you were missed, but the rest of the squad brought the precision—Bologna just got its own highlight reel.