Volandri Names Italy Davis Cup Squad Without Berrettini
Italy will chase its fourth Davis Cup title at Bologna without Matteo Berrettini from November 24 to November 29. Captain Filippo Volandri announced his five-man team, selecting Flavio Cobolli, Luciano Darderi, Lorenzo Musetti, doubles specialist Simone Bolelli, and Andrea Vavassori, according to The Sports Gazette. The squad selection, based on ATP rankings from October 26, leaves out Berrettini, who played a major role in Italy’s previous campaigns in Bologna. Jannik Sinner is also absent from the roster while recovering from a knee injury, prompting Volandri to extend public well wishes for his recovery. The team selection features a first-time senior national team call-up for Darderi, who reached a career-high ranking of world number 16 this season, as reported by SuperTennis.
Roster Choices and Notable Omissions
Volandri’s lineup leans on current ranking positions while navigating physical conditions. Cobolli joins the squad alongside Musetti, who recently captured a title in Lyon by defeating Taylor Fritz, and Darderi. Berrettini, currently ranked number 48, misses out following an early exit in Lyon against French qualifier Gabriel Jacquet.
These call-ups are usually drawn up taking into account the positions in the current ranking,
Volandri stated, noting that the coming weeks will determine player availability and final lineup decisions. The captain emphasized the depth of the Italian roster, mentioning that former mainstays Matteo Arnaldi and Lorenzo Sonego remain part of the broader pool alongside Berrettini.
In the doubles department, Bolelli and Vavassori return for what The Sports Gazette reports will be the final outing for the pairing.
Tournament Schedule and Modification Rules
The Davis Cup Finals open on November 24, 2026, with a tie between the Czech Republic and Canada. Italy begins its title defense in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, November 25, facing South Korea. Other quarterfinal matchups feature Great Britain against Germany on November 26, and Austria against Spain.
Under tournament regulations, team captains can substitute up to three players from the initial team nomination submitted on October 26. Any changes must be officially communicated to organizers by 11:00 AM Italian local time on Monday, November 23, one day prior to the start of the tournament.
Ticketing Discounts and Broadcast Coverage
Tickets for the competition are available through the official event ticketing platform and Ticketone. The Italian Tennis and Padel Federation (FITP) offers structured discounts for its members. Athlete and Gold cardholders receive a 20 percent discount on tickets and a 3 percent discount on passes, while eSports members receive a 5 percent discount. Members holding a SportPay account qualify for steeper reductions, including a 30 percent discount on tickets and a 6 percent discount on passes for Athlete and Gold cardholders, and 10 percent off tickets for eSports members, according to FITP.
Television coverage will broadcast every match live, free, and in the clear on FITP’s thematic channel SuperTennis TV (digital terrestrial channel 64) and via the SuperTennis Plus multichannel on smart TVs. In the event of an Italian qualification, Rai 1 will air the semifinals and final live in co-exclusive broadcast rights with SuperTennis.
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