"In tennis we were the last, today we are the strongest in the world. Since tennis is one of the most popular sports in the world, I think this is great news for our country."

Fitp President Angelo Binaghi is delighted after winning the Davis Cup and expands the discussion on the double with the BJ King Cup, the old Fed Cup, won by women. A double that only four other nations have managed so far.

"There are extraordinary stories behind this title," says Binaghi. " The stories of Paolini and Errani, of Berrettini who last year raised the team without being able to play, this year he comes back, plays and wins six matches out of six. Of Sinner who skipped Bologna last year and they massacred him, we defended him and he brought two Davis Cups. The stories of Cobolli, Arnaldi, of Bolelli and Vavassori who brought points in the group. Today Fognini and Nardi also won two Challengers, we have 10 players in the top 101."

Many individual stories that make up "a group victory, for the entire world of Italian tennis , for the clubs, the teachers, the managers, the fans. We are the strongest nation in the world ". And this, concludes Binaghi, "is fuel for our main goal, which is to become an increasingly popular sport. Tennis is the sport that extends life the most, all the studies say so. We must transform all these spectators into practitioners ".

THE NUMBERS

And it is good to remember them, the numbers of this incredible 2024. Twenty-six total titles among men, women, singles, doubles, mixed doubles and nationals. Sinner first number 1 in the Italian ranking in history, ten men among the top 101 in the ranking .

Three Slams: Sinner in Melbourne and New York, Errani-Vavassori in mixed doubles in New York . Paolini's two Slam finals in Paris and London, three more Slam finals in doubles (two for Bolelli-Vavassori, one for Errani-Paolini).

Errani and Paolini's Olympic gold in the women's doubles, Musetti's bronze in the men's singles .

The ATP Finals won by Sinner, who also won three 1000 (Miami, Cincinnati and Shanghai) and two 500 (Rotterdam and Halle), the 1000 in Dubai won by Paolini .

Let's add that in all 4 disciplines we brought athletes to the Finals, let's add the three titles of Berrettini, that of Darderi, that of Sonego and the eight successes in doubles . Also the incredible semifinal of Musetti at Wimbledon.

And we close with the double team triumph that completes the best season in the history of Italian tennis . In the ATP ranking there are 9 Italians in the top 100, 6 in the top 45. And the number 1 in the world.

Mind-boggling numbers that impact those of the federation, which in 2024 exceeded one million members. The affiliated clubs are also growing, they are 4,067 (+29% compared to 2019) .

(Unioneonline/L)

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