Italy are the Davis Cup champions once again.
The team, captained by former world number 25 Filippo Volandri, defeated Spain 2-0 in Sunday’s final.
As a result, Italy have won three consecutive Davis Cup titles – the first team to do so since 1972.
Italian women also enjoyed success this year, winning a second consecutive Billie Jean King Cup title in September.
Italy are dominating the tennis scene, and who would bet against them continuing their ascendancy in 2026?
Italy’s history makers
The Italian male and female outfits have both won their respective international tournaments for at least two consecutive years.
The men have won three consecutive Davis Cup titles, while the women have won two consecutive Billie Jean King Cup titles.
As such, Italy are the first country in 43 years to win both the Davis Cup and the Billie Jean King Cup in back-to-back years.
The last nation to do so was the USA, who achieved the feat from 1981 to 1982. The USA also accomplished the feat between 1978 and 1979.
Australia were the first country to win both the Davis Cup and the Billie Jean King Cup in back-to-back years, doing so from 1964 to 1965.
Roy Emerson, a winner of 12 Grand Slam singles titles, won the 1965 Davis Cup and later became the all-time winningest player in Davis Cup history.
Jasmine Paolini on inspiring the next generation
After winning the Billie Jean King Cup in September, Jasmine Paolini was asked how it felt to inspire the next generation of Italian players.
During Italy’s post-tie press conference, Paolini said: “Yes, it’s amazing. I still cannot realize that. It’s amazing to show how we fight on court.
“We try to do our best. I think to play for the national team, it’s something that I was watching, I was dreaming to do.
“Hopefully many, many girls are going to start to play tennis. I think tennis in Italy is growing a lot. Hopefully we are going to inspire some little girls.”
Italy defeated the USA 2-0 in the final. Elisabetta Cocciaretto defeated Emma Navarro and Jasmine Paolini beat Jessica Pegula.
