Feliciano Lopez sees a'different Italy with Jannik Sinner
“I am sure we will have three extraordinary years in Italy, our main goal is to consolidate this format. We arrived in Italy at the right time”. Feliciano Lopez, confirmed as director of the Davis Cup Final 8 for the entire three-year period in which it will be played in Italy after having been so for the last two seasons when it was played in Malaga, in an interview with SuperTennis outlined goals and ambitions for the future of the event.
“In Italy, tennis has always been a very popular sport, but with Sinner world number 1 it has become a different phenomenon. It’s the best time to play the Final 8 in Italy. The audience is very passionate and the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation will be of great help. With FIITP there’s a great relationship, I personally know many who work there. I also remember that in 2023 I watched the final next to President Binaghi and everyone was very excited about that victory, which had been awaited for so many years”.
The next three years in which Italy will host the decisive title challenges, from the quarterfinals to the finals, may refresh the passion of Italian fans for tennis and for the Davis Cup, an event that has always had a large following. At the same time, Lopez expects further consolidation of the format, which includes the final round at a single venue. In its two editions in Malaga, the Final 8 has certainly attracted the attention not only of Spaniards, as evidenced by the conspicuous presence of foreign fans who have filled the stands for all matches.
“In Malaga, the Final 8 was a great success, it may be proof that the format is very well established. We saw thousands of fans from all over the world supporting their players. We tried to bring back the atmosphere of Davis, its true essence. I think we have succeeded” he told SuperTennis.
