Lorenzo Sonego replaced Jannik Sinner in the best way in the Davis Cup and won both singles matches played against Frances Tiafoe and Denis Shapovalov. The Piedmontese showed all his professionalism and responded to the sudden call of captain Filippo Volandri, struggling with Sinner’s hand injury.
Sonego took the court against the underdogs, but delivered top-level tennis. The fundamental contribution of the blue, unfortunately, was not enough to bring Italy to the final. The team led by Volandri stopped in the semifinals losing the decisive doubles against Canada.
Sonego: expressed on Djokovic and Nadal
Sonego talked about the incredible match he won against Shapovalov in the Cup Davis, but reiterated that the feat accomplished against the Serbian in Vienna in 2020 remains the best success of his career.
He said: “The best challenge was the one on Shapovalov, even if I played with an annoying tibial muscle inflammation caused by forced training after returning from vacation in the Maldives. But the game of life remains the 6-2 6-1 against Novak Djokovic, a couple of years ago in Vienna.”
The Italian focused precisely on the personalities of the great players. “Rafael Nadal is a crazy example, he puts his maximum effort into every ball of every training session. Off the pitch, he is very available while remaining one who gives little confidence.
The opposite of Djokovic who is very open; who knows, maybe the fact that he speaks Italian also helps. Favorite tournament? I say the Internazionali d’Italia in Rome for the climate that is created in the stands. Then Wimbledon for its elegance that oozes history, but I also like the infinite spaces of American tournaments, from Miami to Indian Wells.”
Sonego’s goal for next season is to obtain important results with greater continuity and improve the his best ranking. Djokovic will be able to play the Australian Open 2022, after the ban recived this season to the covid-rules. The Serb and the the Spanish defending champion will the main star, with Carlos Alcaraz, of the Australian Swing.
