Berrettini, the danger would seem to have been averted: words in press conference make fans breathe a sigh of relief.
There was no Golden Collar for him. Having played so little and having failed, in light of this, to achieve any noteworthy results, it was not even to be expected. The good news, however, is that he will be able to make up for it. Coni would be happy to offer him one, for sure, if he ever manages to climb back up the ladder and return to his former glory.
For now, however, Matteo Berrettini is left empty-handed. No successes, no titles and no Collar for him. Instead, one of the Italian National Olympic Committee’s honors was awarded to Jannik Sinner, the undisputed star, from a sporting point of view, of this magical 2023. He won his first Masters 1000, climbed the world rankings to push himself to fourth place, and was also the dragger of the Italian battalion in the Davis Cup. Could he have done better than that? Probably not. It fits, then, that he was deserving of this award, which, however, he was unable to collect in person because he was busy, in those days, in Alicante with athletic training.
Much was said about him, in any case, during the ceremony. Angelo Binaghi spent some rather significant words in his regard, dutiful in light of the admirable goals cut by the South Tyrolean champion during this 2023. Filippo Volandri, captain of the Italian national team in the Davis Cup, on the other hand, dwelt on another major absentee from the ceremony.
Berrettini, Volandri’s words reassure fans
The coach of Italtennis, in the press conference on the sidelines of the event, reserved a passage of his long speech for Matteo Berrettini. Struggling these days with a new and alleged injury that could force him to postpone, once again, his return to the court.
The reporters present brought up, inevitably, the foot problem with which the Roman would be coping. And which may, in fact, prevent him from playing in Brisbane as he would have liked instead. Volandri, however, for his part, did not seem troubled by this little mishap: “These are not the problems that are worrying,” he said, “Matteo is serene, he is calm. He is working well. He is very motivated, which was the priority part. Time to time, but the results will come.”
The Azzurri captain thus seems to downplay the extent of the injury in question, which is very good news for the fans. Who had already feared, in recent days, the worst, as they are now used to the beatings.