Jannik Sinner sends a classy gesture to retiring Wesley Koolhof after a historic Davis Cup title win

Wesley Koolhof would have taken the court if Jannik Sinner had lost to Tallon Griekspoor in the second singles match of the Davis Cup final.

Jannik Sinner sends a classy gesture to retiring Wesley Koolhof after a historic Davis Cup title win

Jannik Sinner and Wesley Koolhof (via X and Daily Express)

Jannik Sinner ended his fantastic year with a calm and confident performance on Sunday in Malaga. He beat Tallon Griekspoor 7-6(2), 6-2 to help Italy win their second straight Davis Cup title. Despite his big win, Sinner took time to acknowledge Wesley Koolhof, who was retiring after the tournament.

If the singles matches had been tied at 1-1, Koolhof would have teamed up with Botic van de Zandschulp in doubles. But Sinner and Matteo Berrettini were too strong for Griekspoor and van de Zandschulp. Sinner’s victory gave Italy a 2-0 win over the Netherlands, securing the trophy.

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For sure. It’s been an amazing year. I’m very proud of the team. There’s a lot of work behind it. We are very happy to hold this trophy again. It was a very difficult day today because anything can happen. Just want to say a couple words for Wesley Koolhof because he’s retiring. He had an amazing career. Everyone is asking ahh he’s retiring because he played amazing all year. I wish him the best. He’s a nice man. We’re happy to be back here holding this trophy. It feels like we’re in Italy.

Jannik Sinner in the post-match interview at the Davis Cup

This win marked another great year for Italian tennis. Italy became the first nation to defend the Davis Cup title since Czechia in 2013. It is their third Davis Cup win in history.

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Italy’s tennis success wasn’t limited to the men’s team. Just days earlier, the Italian women’s team, including Grand Slam finalist Jasmine Paolini, won the Billie Jean King Cup in Malaga.

Jannik Sinner overwhelms Tallon Griekspoor to create history

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner defeated Tallon Griekspoor 7-6(2), 6-2 to secure Italy’s second consecutive Davis Cup title. His win sealed a 2-0 victory over the Netherlands in the final. This triumph marked another successful year for Italian tennis.

Jannik Sinner Italy
Jannik Sinner of Italy (via X)

Sinner saved two break points in the first set before winning it in a tie-break. In the second set, he recovered from losing an early break and won four straight games. His 91-minute victory sparked celebrations with his teammates. Sinner ended 2024 with a 73-6 record and a 14-match winning streak, dropping only one set during that run.

Earlier in the final, Matteo Berrettini defeated Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4, 6-2 to give Italy a 1-0 lead. After a close start, Berrettini dominated by winning nine of the next 11 games. He remained unbeaten in his matches against Van de Zandschulp, improving to a 5-0 record.

Berrettini had an impressive season, winning titles in Marrakech, Gstaad, and Kitzbuhel. Against the Dutchman, he won 86% of his first-serve points and didn’t face a single break point on his way to victory.