Reigning Davis Cup champion Italy will become sacred ground for tennis through this decade after Monday’s confirmation as the next host venue for the worldwide team competition.

The ITF announced that the tournament finals will be staged from 2025 to 2027 after a recent run in Spain.

The country which boasts world No. 1 Jannik Sinner will begin a three-week run next autumn with the six-day Finals being played in Bologna.

“We are thrilled to have been selected as hosts and look forward to welcoming the best teams in the world to our country next November and for the next three years,” Italian federation boss Angelo Binaghi said in a statement.

“Italy first competed in the Davis Cup nearly 100 years ago and is proud to have lifted the iconic Davis Cup trophy three times as World Champions. 

The FITP will build on Italy’s heritage in this competition, working closely with the ITF to deliver a spectacular event for the fans, as well as build an even greater future for tennis’ great global team asset.”

Cementing the country’s new status as global tennis headquarters was the announcement last month of an extension to the ATP Finals contract.

A fifth edition of the men’s season-ender will be played in Turin, with a not-so-secret switch over the coming half decade to a new stadium in Milan, being constructed in time for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Jannik Sinner capped his reign as the new king of tennis on Sunday with an historic title at the ATP Finals, becoming the first champion in nearly four decades to win without dropping a set all week.

The Turin triumph for the German-speaker from the alpine Alto Adige north, turned in another command performance to humble Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 in 84 quick minutes.

The victory was a repeat of the recent US open where the 23-year-old Italian also prevailed over the American.

“At times I couldn’t play any better,” Sinner said in victory after slamming 14 aces and claiming victory as Fritz sent a service return long on first match point.

Fritz is the first from his nation to win the eight-man year-end event and the first to do it without losing a set since Ivan Lendl in 1986.

Sinner was untouchable all week as he schooled each and every opponent through three group matches, a semi-final rout of casper Ruud and his defeat of Fritz.

“It’s been a positive and amazing week. I’m so pleased to win my first title in Italy – it means so much to me,” Sinner said..

“This is something very, very special. I tried to play my best tennis, that was the key. I had a high level throughout the tournament from my side.”

Sinner will now lead Italy into the Davis Cup title defence next week in Malaga, with play starting on Tuesday in southern Spain.

He now owns an ATP-leading 70 wins this season and eight titles, including the Australian and US Opens.

The last player to win the year-end trophy in his home nation was Andy Murray at London in 2016. LLeyton Hewitt also did it this century at Sydney, 2001.

The world No. 1 extended his late-season win streak to 11 matches, claiming 26 of his last 27; his last defeat occurred in the October Beijing final to Carlos Alcaraz.

Fritz was the first American finalist at the season-wrapup since James Blake in 2006, who lost to Roger Federer; the last American to win the title was Pete Sampras in 1999 at Hanover.

Main photo:- Jannik Sinner lifts ATP Masters trophy – by ISF Ltd

Jannik Sinner put on a clinical display in front of a packed-out home crowd to crush Casper Ruud 6-1, 6-2 for a place in the title match of the ATP Finals.

The Turin schooling of the Norwegian took just 68 minutes and sends world No. 1 Sinner into the Sunday final against Taylor Fritz in a repeat of the US Open final of two months ago won by the Italian.

It will be Sinner’s second year-end final in a row after losing to Novak Djokovic here in 2023.

Fritz is the first American to play for year-end honours title since James Blake lost the Shanghai Masters Cup final nearly two decades ago to Roger Federer.

Fritz booked his spot 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (3) over Alexander Zverev in a draining win lasting for two and a quarter hours.

Sinner stormed into command of No. 7 Ruud as he dominated the opening set in 31 minutes with a double break. Another two breaks were all it took in the second set to complete the win with a ninth ace.

The Italian goes into the final with four wins from as many matches – all in straight sets.

“I got early breaks in each set and was able to concentrate on my serving, ” the winners said. “I had to save break points at 31 in the first set.

“But I raised my level and was quite intense. I’m happy with the performance and to get into the final again.”

Sinner owns a 3-1 record over No. 5 Fritz and is expecting a struggle with the man he beat in the round-robin here last Tuesday .

“I’ll try to play the best I can, but anything can happen. I’m just happy to be back in the final.

“I have more experience as a player than a year ago. Hopefully it will be a good day but even if it’s not I’ve still had a positive week and year so I’m happy.”

Sinner owns seven ATP titles this season and stands 69-9. he has won all nine indoor matches he has played in 2024, including the February title in Rotterdam. 

The reigning Australian and US Open champion will be playing his ninth final of the season.