Mattarella welcomes Italy’s Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup champions: “Italian tennis a global force”
Inside the Salone delle Feste at the Quirinale, President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella received Italy’s women’s national tennis team, winners in 2025 of a second consecutive Billie Jean King Cup, and the men’s national team, who last year triumphed for the third straight season in the Davis Cup.
The side captained by Tathiana Garbin and featuring Jasmine Paolini, Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Sara Errani, Lucia Bronzetti and Tyra Grant secured in September in Shenzhen (China) the sixth title in Italy’s history in the premier women’s team competition. Meanwhile, Flavio Cobolli, Matteo Berrettini, Lorenzo Sonego, Andrea Vavassori and Simone Bolelli, led by captain Filippo Volandri, prevailed in Bologna in November to deliver Italy’s fourth Davis Cup title.
Present at the Quirinale (photo Mattia Martegani/CONI), alongside the athletes, captains and staff of both teams, were CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio, Minister for Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi, Sport e Salute President Marco Mezzaroma, Sport e Salute CEO Diego Nepi Molineris, Italian Tennis and Padel Federation President Angelo Binaghi, ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi, the federation’s leadership and the entire federal council.
“Mr President of the Republic, as always thank you for the attention and affection you show towards Italian sport,” said CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio. “Once again we stand before you to celebrate the successes and emotions of another winning sport that is filling Italian homes with passion and glory. I refer to tennis, which in recent years has become one of the leading disciplines in Italian sport. The men’s team, after nearly 50 years without success, has managed to win the Davis Cup – the world team championship – three times in a row. Likewise, the women’s team repeated its triumph a few months ago, backing up the previous year’s success. A men’s and women’s double, achieved in consecutive years, is nothing short of extraordinary. No European nation had ever managed it; only two Anglo-Saxon countries had done so: Australia in 1964 and 1965, and the United States twice between the late Seventies and early Eighties. In practical terms, it had not happened in the past half-century. That is the measure of the greatness of this double success we celebrate with you today. It is the second year in succession that Italian tennis has dominated the world in the two most prestigious team competitions. An unprecedented double that fills us with pride. These are outstanding athletes who honour the Azzurri shirt and are proud to defend the honour of our country. They are led by two non-playing captains of the highest calibre, Tathiana Garbin and Filippo Volandri, envied around the world. And the world also envies the protagonists who raised our beloved Tricolore on the podium and twice, in Bologna and Shenzhen, played the Italian national anthem. I think of Jasmine Paolini, Sara Errani, Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Lucia Bronzetti and Tyra Grant in the final in China, as well as Flavio Cobolli, Matteo Berrettini, Lorenzo Sonego, Andrea Vavassori and Simone Bolelli in the Bologna final against Spain. But as you know well, and as I often repeat on these occasions, behind these young women and men there is an organisational system that works. Credit must go to the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation, to its President Angelo Binaghi, to the federal council and to all those working within the structure for having, over the years, shaped the federation like a true company, with sporting, economic and financial results for all to see. Today the federation is a management model, an example not only nationally but also one that attracts attention and interest internationally. The Internazionali d’Italia in Rome are about to get under way, with enormous public anticipation. In the past you have honoured us with your presence. We know how busy your schedule is, but should you find the time, Italian sport would be delighted to welcome you to the enchanting setting of the Foro Italico. Thank you, Mr President, for this unforgettable morning. This is the Italy that wins, the Italy that conveys positive messages, the Italy that honours our flag. These are the sisters and brothers of Italy. Thank you again, Mr President – long live Italy, long live Italian sport”.
Angelo Binaghi then took the floor: “Being invited to the Quirinale to celebrate the triumphs of our girls and boys is the greatest possible satisfaction for us. It represents the pinnacle of our journey and makes us feel we have fully done our duty and represented our nation in the best possible way. Above all, thank you for waiting for us, for allowing these players to complete their respective schedules so they could prepare in the best way and be here together today. We took it as a gesture of great sensitivity towards us. We have won the last five world team championships – something extraordinary. And these last two victories were genuine feats, against the odds, as our ATP President Andrea Gaudenzi can testify. They were victories built by our two captains, Tathiana Garbin and Filippo Volandri, who succeeded in combining the charisma, class and experience of top players such as Jasmine Paolini and Matteo Berrettini with the exuberance and grit of our best emerging talents like Flavio Cobolli and Elisabetta Cocciaretto. These were such clear-cut victories that there was not even the need to field two of the strongest pairs in the world, Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini, and Andrea Vavassori and Simone Bolelli, allowing us to rest reigning world champions such as Lorenzo Sonego and Lucia Bronzetti, along with our great prospect Tyra Grant. Today we look ahead: the Internazionali BNL d’Italia begin now. We still vividly remember Jasmine’s splendid victory last year, made even more significant by your presence, which allowed us to feel the affection and support of all Italians. This year we also dream of a men’s singles title, which has eluded us for 50 years. I have done my utmost over these 25 years but have not succeeded; you, Mr President, came once and achieved the impossible with Jasmine. I believe it is worth drawing the appropriate conclusions… We await you with open arms. I believe our movement must not stop here. We must share with the Government the opportunity that Italian tennis represents today for our country, in economic, social and reputational terms. We must persist, create the conditions for the growth of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, which are a national asset. We owe it to these boys and girls, to their families, to their teams, and to the 29 million Italians who follow their exploits with passion. We must capitalise on the value and opportunity created by their victories to leave our country an even greater tournament that will generate even more wealth for many years to come,” concluded the FITP President.
Elisabetta Cocciaretto then spoke: “It is an honour to nurture this dream every day and to represent Italy. Every time we wear the Azzurri shirt we are filled with pride. There is a strong sense of belonging, sharing and pride. Winning together under the Tricolore gives us national pride; with the team it is something special. We are Italian in every corner of the world and we want to be an example for all the girls who dream as we do. Mr President, your guidance is a reference point and this result is a small contribution to Italy.” She was echoed by Flavio Cobolli: “When we play the Davis Cup we are not alone – there is a team and an entire country behind us. That makes the difference. I thank my team-mates: we are a strong and united group, even when results do not come. The captain has guided us with humanity and openness, and the Federation has provided the tools to get us here. We will give everything to return here and celebrate ‘your’ Davis Cup again”.
In closing, Sergio Mattarella – who, before his speech, was presented by the players with scaled-down replicas of the Billie Jean King Cup and the Davis Cup – said: “The Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup victories represent an unimaginable result. It shows that the first success was not a one-off, but part of a process that has made Italian tennis a global force. We now look ahead to the Internazionali in Rome and to Roland Garros, and I expect to see them there thanks to your invitation. I would not wish to appear a talisman, as I am not at all, but the quality of our players – women and men – allows us to approach these tournaments with renewed and consolidated confidence. Being successful athletes and role models for fans carries responsibility, and you consistently set an example of seriousness, especially for the younger generations. This reflection allows me to recall Alex Zanardi, a person of great human depth, capable of inspiring young people. I believe I speak for everyone in saying that Zanardi is a figure who not only evokes affection and admiration but also a future of gratitude: these are the figures who illuminate our sport and give meaning to the importance of sport in society,” concluded the Head of State.
I campioni del mondo di tennis al Quirinale dal Presidente Mattarella
