Italian tennis fans are sweating on the fitness of two of its biggest stars ahead of the Davis Cup Finals at the end of November.
With Matteo Berrettini and Jannik Sinner in their ranks, Italy's bid to win a first Davis Cup since 1976 - their sole victory in a century of competing in the competition - looked promising, with both players ranked in the top 20 of the ATP world rankings.
But now Filippo Volandri’s side must play the waiting game to see if their formidable No.1 and No.2 will be ready to play in time for the showpiece finals in Malaga on November 22.
Berrettini was last seen when losing to another Italian player, Lorenzo Musetti at the much-maligned ATP Napoli in October, and has since been forced to withdraw from the Vienna Open and the Paris Masters.
His main focus appears to be the Davis Cup Finals, with reports medical experts are working to get a left foot injury improved before Spain.
Sinner made Bercy this week, only to be humbled early in the day one schedule with a straight sets' loss to Marc-Andrea Huesler.
During the defeat, Sinner had the trainer out looking at a wrist issue but has previously revealed he has been plagued with an ankle injury.
The World No.12 has had a torrid time since his US Open loss to eventual winner Carlos Alcaraz in September, breaking down in a Sofia Open semi-final against Holger Rune and pulling out of the Firenze Open in Florence.
It doesn't bode well for the Italian's, with a genuine hope that they could claim their second Davis Cup this year.
Team Canada looks to be favourites at the moment, with Felix Auger-Aliassime arguably the best player in the world right now, with Denis Shapovalov also finding form after his recent final appearance in Austria.
0 Comments