Matthew Berrettini’s words have literally displaced fans: no one expected such a confession.
It’s not just the talent. It’s not just the fact that they have collected a slew of titles to be proud of. There is much more, on closer inspection, behind the success of Jannik Sinner and Matteo Berrettini, two champions we should always be proud of. And not, as is often the case, only when they win or beat opponents of a certain caliber.
Absolutely not. The two blues are the best representatives the Bel Paese could wish for. Because they are strong, very strong, but also because they are carriers of values that are not at all taken for granted. The South Tyrolean is an example of integrity and dedication. He teaches everyone every day, especially the little ones, that you should never feel you have arrived. That one can always improve and give more. And it is nice, in light of this, to know that many aspiring champions take inspiration from him and his admirable workaholicism.
Not to be outdone is the Wimbledon 2021 finalist, who over and over again has amazed audiences with his often very profound reflections on sport and life. The last of which was on the eve of his return to the Davis Cup, an appointment to which Berrettini has always been very attached and for which he has done his utmost even when, for reasons of force majeure, he could not contribute effectively on the court.
Berrettini blows everyone away: “It’s hard to notice ”
In a video interview posted on Fitp’s social channels, Matteo takes a trip back in time. He tells about the time when, still very young, he attended the ECA tennis club in Rome. And that’s when he was asked what he would say to that child if he had the chance to talk to him.
A nonsense Halys pic.twitter.com/68dmurRj3u
– Luca Fiorino (@FiorinoLuca) July 19, 2024
“To little Matteo I would tell him to enjoy every single step of the way – these are the words of the former number 1 of Italy, a team man like few – I would tell him when there are good things stop for an extra second to enjoy them because everything goes so fast that it is hard to notice when you are happy and when things are going well.”
A profound thought, not at all taken for granted, least of all for a guy who has achieved so much through his talent. That stopping, then, is exactly what he did at one point, when he had lost his compass and was also losing, his words, his love for tennis and his desire to play. And, fortunately, he stopped just in time.