Follow us on Google Discover Jannik Sinner won’t play at the Davis Cup Finals this November.
After helping his team win the tournament in 2023 and 2024, Sinner withdrew ahead of the 2025 Davis Cup Finals.
His decision has been criticized in Italy, with tennis legend Nicola Pietrangeli calling Sinner’s move a ‘slap in the face’.
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
In Sinner’s defence, he isn’t the first player to have missed the Davis Cup, as the likes of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic all skipped the event at various points throughout their careers.
On the other hand, some players respected the event above any other, including Goran Ivanisevic, who had this to say in 2021.
Goran Ivanisevic ‘just wanted to play Davis Cup’ and didn’t care about getting injured
During a press conference at the 2021 Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Ivanisevic shared his thoughts on players representing their countries.
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“For me, playing for my country, actually, I remember the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, carrying the flag for the first time. That was the biggest honor one sportsman can get,” he said.
“Winning two medals there.”
1992 Olympics Singles – Bronze medal1992 Olympics Doubles – Bronze medal
The Croat proceeded to reflect on his time representing his country at the Davis Cup.
“Always playing Davis Cup, even when I got injured every time I played Davis Cup. I didn’t care. I just wanted to play Davis Cup,” he said.
“It’s a special thing. Some people don’t like to play for their countries. But I was the one who really enjoyed playing for the country, being with the guys, making it better.”
Ivanisevic’s Davis Cup journey was special, and culminated with a retirement U-turn that paid off in spades.
Goran Ivanisevic came out of retirement to win the 2005 Davis Cup
The 2001 Wimbledon champion made his Davis Cup debut in 1988, representing Yugoslavia.
Ivanisevic quickly became an integral member of the team, helping his country establish itself as one of the best sides in the competition.
YearYugoslavia’s performanceGoran Ivanisevic’s record1988Lost 5-0 to Germany in SF0-11989Lost 4-1 to Sweden in SF5-31990Lost 3-2 to New Zealand in 1R4-01991Lost 5-0 to France in SF6-0Goran Ivanisevic’s Davis Cup record for Yugoslavia
When Croatia gained independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, Ivanisevic began representing the newly formed nation.
Despite his best efforts, he was still unable to lift the title, as the Croats dipped in and out of the World Group.
YearCroatia’s performanceGoran Ivanisevic’s record1993Lost 3-2 to Denmark in Playoff4-21994Won 4-0 against Portugal to qualify for World Group5-11995Lost 4-1 to Germany in 1R2-41996Lost 4-1 to Australia in Playoff2-21997Lost 3-2 to Austria in Europe/Africa Zone5-12000Won 5-0 against Ivory Coast to qualify for Playoffs6-02001Beat Italy 3-2 to qualify for World Group4-12002Lost 3-2 to Argentina in QF4-02003Lost 4-1 to USA in 1R1-0Goran Ivanisevic’s Davis Cup record for Croatia
Retiring from tennis in 2004, it looked like Ivanisevic’s Davis Cup dream was over.
Team Croatia had other ideas, as the nation advanced to its maiden Davis Cup final in 2005.
2005 Davis Cup 1R – Croatia defeated USA 3-22005 Davis Cup QF – Croatia defeated Romania 4-12005 Davis Cup SF – Croatia defeated Russia 3-2
Not prepared to let a legend of Croatian tennis miss out on the final, Ivanisevic was named in the squad to play Slovakia.
Ivanisevic didn’t play in the team’s 3-2 win over Slovakia, but was a deserved champion as Croatia won their first title.
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Seven years later, Ivanisevic remembered the win, sharing his thoughts on Croatia’s historic campaign.
“2005, when Croatia won the Davis Cup, we really achieved a lot,” he said.
“It was really great to be there, and try to help them, try to say a few words, we were really like a team.
“Overall, it was just a great experience to be there. I never thought that Croatia would one day win the Davis Cup.
“Because of Ivan Ljubicic’s unbelievable performances throughout the year, he didn’t lose a match, and Mario [Ancic] helping him in the doubles, it was just too good.”
Croatia won their second Davis Cup title in 2018, defeating France 3-1 in the final.
They won’t, however, compete in this year’s Davis Cup Finals, having lost 3-1 to France in their recent playoff match.
Ivanisevic will certainly be willing his team to return to the Finals next year, in search of a third title.