Right now, I don't see anyone capable of challenging Alcaraz and Sinner for the tennis throne

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The 2025 Davis Cup has moved its finals to Bologna and, for the moment, the initial feelings are of resounding success. The atmosphere at the BoloniaFiere is very good, the city has dressed up for an event of this caliber, and ticket sales seem to be promising good numbers: it is no coincidence, then, that Feliciano López, the competition's director, is happy with the direction in which the competition is heading.

With that serenity and conviction of a job well done, the Spaniard sat down with the Spanish media in the Italian city to chat about a wide range of topics. The injury of Carlos Alcaraz and Spain's chances in the Finals, the constant debate about the format, which always seems to find a final twist, or the rivalry between the Murcian and Jannik Sinner: everything was covered in an enriching conversation where a very clear message was conveyed: the current format of the Davis Cup is, for him, the ideal, but he does not rule out new changes in the future.

Feliciano López analyzes the rivalry between Sinner and Alcaraz, talks about the Davis Cup format, and reflects on the tennis ecosystem

- First impressions, as director, of the setup built in Bologna for the Finals

"Initially, the impressions are very good. They have put on a great setup, the effort they have made is considerable, especially considering they have a very important event in Turin in the week before the Davis Cup. We knew they would do well and that they would make every effort to ensure everything was good. The teams are happy, the player area is very large, the training courts, the Centre Court... we didn't expect anything less, but we're happy."

- Alcaraz's absence and Spain's chances in these Finals

"A shame because Carlos was eager to be here. It was a great opportunity to conquer the Davis Cup with him on the team. This year there have been different strong teams that either were not present here or, as in Italy's case, the clear favorite, had the absence of their number one and number two. Germany has Zverev; the U.S., a global power, is not here... but well, there are things one cannot control.

If Carlos is not fit to play, it's a shame, but being here is also a reward for the effort Pedro, Jaume, and all those who were in Marbella made: they deserve to be here, and I am sure they will compete tomorrow. They face what, for me, is not the dark horse, but the team with the best singles players, three of a very similar level, very good, with no major differences between the three, unlike other teams. A tough opponent, in circumstances that do not favor our game, as the Czechs were born on indoor courts, but let's see what happens. In Marbella, we saw what they are capable of, and hopefully, at the very least, they can compete and hopefully advance."

- A possibility, the Davis Cup in a biennial format, discussed by players... which Feli does not reject, although he considers the current format a success

"It's nothing new. So many things have been said about the Davis Cup format... practically since I started playing, I have heard different ideas, formats, to involve the best players. In the era when I was playing, it was said that the best didn't play. The reality is that we have come here by listening to everyone. The ITF has listened to captains, federations, players... to get to this point. I think it is a significant advancement to be able to play another round in September, with the home and away format, the one we historically had and that is the essence of this competition. It's already two rounds like that, and the Finals product was a success in Malaga.

We are open to keep listening to people, especially to all the parties involved in the world of tennis, to try, if possible, to improve. It doesn't mean it has to be played every two years, but we are open to continue listening to everyone so that this format can be the best possible. I think we have reached a good understanding, and having another round in September plus the format of the Finals with 8 teams... worked very well in Malaga, and I am convinced it will be the same here. Italian tennis is experiencing its best moment in history, and we will be here for three years with a format that we believe is good. That said, we continue to be open to hearing from everyone: it is very important that there is good collaboration among all so that the Davis Cup has the place it deserves in the world of tennis"

- The choice of Italy as the new venue for the Finals

"The Finals remain in Europe, which I think is important: many of the players come from Paris or Turin. We come from Malaga, which I think was successful for many reasons, as Malaga is a city that has grown a lot and has a lot to offer a tennis fan who, in addition to watching their country play, can make the most of their stay for other things; Bologna also offers this, with many things in addition to the competition... and I think it's very positive to be here. Italian tennis is at the peak of its history, and I am not only speaking of Sinner, as Sinner's situation is extraordinary, but there is a large number of Italian players who deserve their place. Tennis is very popular in Italy now: in terms of sponsorships, interest, young people see Jannik Sinner on TV and idolize him... gradually, it is an ideal place for tennis to continue growing within its ecosystem"

- Sinner and Alcaraz rivalry: Is the end of their duopoly looming?

"The numbers speak for themselves. I don't have a crystal ball, but if you ask me today, in the short term... I don't see that changing. I don't see one or several players capable of challenging them for the big titles and the world number one throne in tennis. In three years? Maybe a Sinner from Slovenia comes along or an Alcaraz from another country. Nobody knows... but I do see an enormous difference between them and the others. Too big: because they are too good, technically, physically, and mentally, and the difference is widening as time goes by, as they have the ability to keep updating and improving their tennis in all aspects, while others do not. This is the phase that tennis is going through: it is fair to say that we are very lucky to have both of them. They are two different personalities, two great ambassadors of this sport"

- Have you seen anyone play at such a high pace and consistently as Jannik and Carlos?

"It's hard to measure, honestly. Alcaraz and Sinner play very fast, that's evident... but Federer, Rafa, Djokovic, and some others in my generation also did, they played very fast. Faster? It may be that at times, comparing eras, the ball speed always increases gradually, as physical preparation, even if slight, increases and they hit harder. The average speed of play today may be slightly higher than some years ago.

I have seen matches, especially of Federer and Djokovic, where they played at a brutal pace. I don't know if Sinner and Alcaraz play faster... but similar. Perhaps they are more explosive at certain times, especially Alcaraz, although Sinner also moves very well, just in a different way. However, in terms of pure play speed, in baseline exchanges, it may be that at times, they play a bit faster. It depends on the surface, the moment, it's hard to measure. Sinner sets a very high pace, and hardly anyone can keep up with him, the only one who can is Alcaraz. However, Alcaraz has other elements in his game that he can use. He continues to play at a high pace, but at other times in the match, he uses the serve and volley, high balls, he has the ability to change his playing style depending on the moment or the opponent."

- The most open Davis Cup in recent times

"I see the competition as very open. Italy is a double champion, they retained the title in Malaga last year: they have been dominant in world tennis, both in men's and women's tennis, also winning the Billie Jean King Cup... but this year everything is wide open, which I think makes it more interesting. If Sinner and Musetti were here, maybe Italy would be the clear favorite. The U.S. is not here, which has five or six singles or doubles players; they seem like a great team, but they are not here.

Germany, with Zverev, is another candidate, as Sascha on these courts, if he is in good shape, it is difficult to find someone who can put him in trouble, although you always have to play the matches. It is true that this year everything is very open, and I think it is good for the competition: after two years of a very significant Italian dominance, it's great that other countries have the opportunity to lift the title. There are countries that had never been here, like Austria or Belgium, and it is very nice for them."

- Would there be more commitment from the players, as they often proclaim, if the Davis Cup were a competition held every two years?

"What I believe, and I have said it before, is that we have reached this format by talking to everyone. There has been a significant effort between the ITF, federations, captains, players... the game has been played in different formats these years and we have arrived here after talking to everyone. I think we are in a good place. The incorporation of another round like the ones before is very positive for the competition, giving countries the opportunity to play at least two series in their country, while the format with 8 teams in Malaga worked very well, it was a resounding success.

Speaking of commitment is like flipping a coin. We see it continually on the circuit: what a player thinks today can be different in a year and a half. I experienced it as a player and, working in Madrid, I still see it. It happens with the two-week Masters 1000... in the end, tennis is constantly changing, and the players' preferences also change. There is a group of players for whom one thing is beneficial, for another group another (smiles), so getting everyone to agree is never easy. What I said before, and I maintain, is that we are happy with what we have now. I think it's worth betting on this format for these three years, but we are open to continue collaborating with everyone to find, if there is one, something better."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, "Ahora mismo, no veo a nadie capaz de disputar a Alcaraz y Sinner el trono del tenis"