Jannik Sinner just can’t seem to catch a break, even when he’s earning one. Fresh off pocketing a massive $6 million payday at the Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia, the 24-year-old wasted no time jetting off to Austria for the Vienna Open. It’s been a whirlwind stretch for Sinner, and that’s exactly why he’s decided to skip the Davis Cup in Bologna from November 18–23. But that move hasn’t gone over well back home. Italian newspapers have been all over the story, calling him out for opting out of national duty.

Reports suggest Jannik Sinner plans to compete in Vienna (ATP 500), then skip the Rolex Paris Masters before gearing up for the ATP Finals. Despite leading Italy to Davis Cup titles in both 2023 and 2024, his decision to sit out this year’s campaign hasn’t been warmly received, especially as its in his home country. Even Italian tennis legend Nicola Pietrangeli took aim at Sinner’s choice, calling it out in comments shared by Punto de Break.

Just a few hours ago, @Tennishead took to X to share parts of a heated discussion. “It’s a huge slap in the face for Italian sport. I don’t understand when you say it was a difficult choice. We’re talking about playing tennis, not going to war. When it comes to the Davis Cup, it’s about the ultimate; the goal of any athlete is to wear the blue jersey,” said Italian legend Nicolo Pietrangeli. But Jannik Sinner had his reasons.

“It wasn’t an easy decision, but after Turin, the goal is to get off on the right foot in Australia,” Jannik Sinner told Sky Sport Italy. “It may not seem like it, but a week of preparation during that period can make all the difference. We won the Davis Cup in 2023 and 2024, and this time we decided this with my team.”

Also, after a grueling run of back-to-back tournaments, a break feels not only reasonable but necessary, and given the load he’s carried this season, it’s fair for Sinner to prioritize recovery, even if some fans don’t see it that way. Unfortunately, many Italian outlets didn’t hold back, criticizing the 24-year-old for skipping the event.

Several newspaper front pages ran harsh headlines aimed at the four-time Grand Slam champion. Pietrangeli even doubled down on his criticism, accusing the San Candido native of being driven by money. “Unfortunately, I know I’m talking about another era. I hope that during the Davis Cup, people don’t go somewhere else to play. I see that the world today is driven by money and people put their hearts aside,” said the 92-year-old.

Still, Jannik Sinner is no stranger to controversy, and he’s learned to take the noise in stride. Coming off one of the most demanding and eventful years of his young career, the ATP World No. 2 is set to kick off his campaign at the Erste Bank Open (ATP 500) in Vienna, where he faces Daniel Altmaier in the opening round. Ultimately, Sinner holds an impressive 43-6 record this season with three singles titles to his name.

So despite all his success, as Sinner is now catching heat for skipping the Davis Cup, it seems another Italian tennis legend has stepped up to defend him.

Jannik Sinner still has time to chase more Davis Cup glory

During an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, 1976 Davis Cup champion Paolo Bertolucci shared his thoughts on Jannik Sinner’s controversial decision. “I don’t see anything wrong with it, especially since I think it was agreed upon,” he said. “Tennis has changed. Today, what really matters are the four Grand Slams and, secondary to that, the ATP Finals. Everything else is just trivia, maybe high-quality trivia, but it doesn’t carry the same weight as those five events.”

Bertolucci also didn’t hold back in pointing out the realities of the modern tennis calendar either. “The season lasts 11 months, and planning is crucial. The Davis Cup, especially this Davis Cup with its bizarre format, isn’t a key event anymore. And in any case, Sinner has already won it twice,” he said, standing firmly in Sinner’s corner.

When asked about critics blasting the 24-year-old for skipping the Davis Cup right after playing in a lucrative exhibition in Saudi Arabia, the former world No. 12 didn’t mince words. “I see a lot of hypocrisy in there,” Bertolucci said. “I challenge any of his critics to say they would have given up that prize money for the Davis Cup.”

Bertolucci also hinted at when he expects Sinner to make his Davis Cup return. “It’s true, the final will be played in Italy, and the fans were ready to shower him with love, many tickets were sold for him. But from this point of view, Jannik is above suspicion, considering he’s already helped us win it twice,” he added. “Besides, the Davis Cup will stay in Bologna for another two years, he’ll definitely play it again.”

That said, do you think Jannik Sinner made the right call prioritizing rest and preparation over representing Italy in the Davis Cup?