Matteo Berrettini’s gesture did not go unnoticed: he was caught in the act, no use trying to hide it.
Brothers of Italy, Brothers of Davis. Brothers of blue and dreams of glory. Jannik Sinner and Matteo Berrettini are this and much more, and the Bologna date, in this sense, only confirmed what we had already partly understood in recent months. Namely, that between the two tennis players there is, by now, a bond that goes far beyond the simple fact of sharing a passion for the same sport.
The filming, during the group stage of the Davis Cup, simply confirmed it. Between the Roman and the South Tyrolean there is an extraordinary synergy, an understanding that, until some time ago, we absolutely did not think possible. Not until it was thought, at least, that the two champions of the Bel Paese were opponents on principle, rivals in an absolute sense.
With time we discovered, instead, that Jannik and Matteo have always been there for each other. Berrettini has been instrumental in Sinner’s growth, and the current world No. 1, for his part, has been most important at the moment when the Roman hit rock bottom. It is also thanks to the Us Open champion, in fact, that we have witnessed the former Atp No. 6 ranking player return to the court. No wonder, then, that they seem so incredibly close.
Berrettini’s shamelessness: he made like Sinner
The hugs and jeers they exchanged in Bologna in the past few days, where Jannik went as a mere spectator and supporter of Italtennis, confirm this. But yet another detail persuaded us of the uniqueness of the relationship that binds the two most beloved tennis players in the Boot.
Matteo Berrettini did the Jannik Sinner celebration at the Davis Cup
– The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 15, 2024
In the final act of the Davis Cup group stage, Berrettini beat Botic Van de Zandschulp in a comeback, as fans will be well aware. And it did not go unnoticed, if only because the cameras deliberately lingered on it, Matteo’s gesture at the end of the match.
The Roman clearly “imitated” his friend from San Candido, indulging in the exact same jubilation that has long since become customary for the world No. 1. He paused, immobilized for a few seconds, just as our Sinner does, and then rejoiced and enjoyed, at last, his much-deserved success. An attestation of esteem that no one, perhaps not even Jannik himself, ever expected. Because imitation, you know, is the sincerest form of flattery.
