ROME (AP) — Former top-25 player Filippo Volandri was named Italy’s Davis Cup captain on Saturday, ending Corrado Barazzutti’s 20-year run in charge.
Barazzutti had also previously been Italy’s Fed Cup captain, a role he ceded to Tathiana Garbin in 2016 after coaching the women’s team to four titles. Barazzutti played on Italy’s team that won the Davis Cup in 1976.
The 39-year-old Volandri had been Italy’s national technical director since 2018.
“Italian tennis will always be grateful to Corrado Barazzutti for his extraordinary contribution to our movement, first as a player and then as a coach,” said Italian Tennis Federation president Angelo Binaghi.
Italy’s team appears to have a bright future with players like Jannik Sinner, Matteo Berrettini, Lorenzo Sonego and Lorenzo Musetti.
“At such an important moment for my coaching career I want to thank Corrado, who in 2001 when he was just named captain let me debut in the Davis Cup even though I was still a kid,” Volandri said. “I hope I’m able to honor what he did in this position.”
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