Jannik Sinner was in the locker room, getting ready to go on court and try to win a match that would give Italy its second Davis Cup title in a row, when his teammate, Matteo Berrettini, was asked about being so close to a championship.

It was Italy's third title in the elite men's team competition following their triumphs in 1976 and last year.

Italy has triumphed for the second consecutive time in the Davis Cup, a tournament where tennis players gather under their national flag to represent their country. The total prize money provided