Volandri names Cobolli, Darderi, Musetti, Vavassori and Bolelli for Italy's Davis Cup Final 8 squad

The five-man squad

Italian captain Filippo Volandri on Monday, 26 October named five players for the Davis Cup Final 8, which runs from 24 to 29 November at the SuperTennis Arena of BolognaFiere in Bologna. The singles group is Flavio Cobolli, ranked No. 6 in ATP singles, Luciano Darderi (No. 23) and Lorenzo Musetti (No. 26). The doubles pair is Andrea Vavassori (No. 7 in ATP doubles) and Simone Bolelli (No. 10 in ATP doubles). Italy is going for a fourth consecutive title and a fifth overall, after winning the last three editions. Matteo Berrettini, a central figure in last year's title win alongside Cobolli, is not in the group. The list is not yet final, because the rules allow replacements until a deadline set out below.

Why Berrettini was left out

Volandri said the selections followed the current ranking positions, as is customary for him. He added that the coming weeks would be decisive, and that his staff would check each player's condition to determine availability and field the strongest possible line-up. The captain described the squad as drawn from a wide pool of players, naming Berrettini, Matteo Arnaldi and Lorenzo Sonego as strong alternatives who were key players in previous editions. On the choice itself, he said:

“These selections, as usual, were made taking into account the current ranking positions.”

The Bologna draw

The quarter-final pairings were set at a draw on 22 September at Palazzo Pepoli, conducted by tournament director Feliciano López with referee Riccardo Ragazzini. Italy's opening match is against South Korea on Wednesday, 25 November, at 16:00, the first of the Final 8 fixtures that run from 24 to 29 November. Bologna hosts the event again at the SuperTennis Arena, and the draw fixed Italy's path into the tie.

The timeline runs from the draw through the squad announcement and the substitution deadline to the closing day of the Final 8.

Changes and a message to Sinner

Under the rules, the captain can replace up to three players compared with the Team Nomination of 26 October. Any changes must be notified by 11:00 Italian time on the day before the first match, which is Monday, 23 November. The Italian tennis federation highlighted that rule when it announced the selections. Volandri closed his remarks by wishing Jannik Sinner well, hoping he can return to full fitness and rejoin the team soon:

“I take this opportunity to send Jannik my best wishes so that he can get back to full fitness and return to us soon.”

The substitution deadline falls two days before Italy's first match, so the squad named on Monday is not yet the final group for Bologna.