Matteo Berrettini, what happened is in some ways miraculous. The Roman’s tale creeps everyone out, even Jannik Sinner.
It is highly likely that Jannik Sinner does not have a clue. That he does not know that he played such an important role. Matteo Berrettini, however, wanted him to know. And that’s why, in the past few hours, he has spoken to the press about it, revealing a completely unexpected detail that speaks volumes about the positive influence the South Tyrolean has had on the Roman.
If, once upon a time, it was the Wimbledon finalist who inspired the newly crowned New York champion, now it is the herbivore doc who has found in his compatriot an indissoluble point of reference. We are not just referring to the admiration he understandably has for the San Candido native, an admiration he moreover expressed by celebrating his victory at the Us Open with a story on Instagram. We refer, rather, to what he told Sky Sports.
Matteo revealed that the very tough face-off with Sinner at the All England Club sanctioned, for him, a kind of return to reality, if you will. “At Wimbledon it was a special match because I felt I was back at that level, something I had been asking myself in the difficult months. That match gave me a big boost, after that I won two tournaments. “
Sinner had a hand in it
Jannik, unknowingly, therefore performed a miracle of sorts. Had it not been for that draw, for that fierce duel, perhaps Matthew would not be here. Maybe he wouldn’t have won either in Gstaad or Kitzbuhel, if the draw hadn’t had a hand in it.
He esteems, respects, and is grateful to him as well. “From Jannik I would steal the dedication to work and the ability to always want to improve,” Berrettini said again, ”He came very young to the tennis elite and never stopped. Listening to him, he is always future-oriented, this is a skill that the great ones have. I am trying to do the same, finding important stimulation and joy in improving.”
And a key stimulus Matteo will surely find in leading the Davis Cup group stage. Without Sinner and Musetti, it will be up to him to drag the rest of the crew along and motivate everyone to give their all in hopes of defending the salad bowl he won last year. Which, we are sure, he will certainly be up to.
