Matthew Berrettini’s unexpected confession has displaced the tennis people: it’s all people are talking about.
For a long time it was thought that Matteo Berrettini and Jannik Sinner could not stand each other. That the South Tyrolean, long before he ascended the throne, was “jealous” of his Roman colleague’s successes. And that the 2021 Wimbledon finalist, for his part, had then begun to resent the young red baron who had stolen his title and scepter as Italy’s No. 1.
Their relationship, in fact, was idealized badly from the beginning. They may not be best friends, being rivals within the Tour anyway, but the two blues have shown on several occasions that they respect and esteem each other very much. So much so that Berrettini had revealed some time ago that one of the people who had been closest to him in his darkest period had been the Australian Open winner himself. They are always there for each other, in short, as good countrymen.
And Matthew is there for Jannik even now that much of the tennis and social media people seem to resent him. Especially now that the public and other athletes are calling for him to be disqualified, because they are not at all certain of the goodness of the ruling that ultimately cleared him of any doping charges. A voice out of the chorus, Berrettini’s, which not surprisingly received plaudits and praise from those who hoped that, sooner or later, someone would break a lance in favor of the world number 1. To date, he is the only one to have exposed himself in such a blatant manner, which is quite thought-provoking.
A voice out of the chorus: Berrettini doesn’t linger
He could have chosen the path of “caution” and stayed in a neutral zone, but he didn’t. Berrettini sided to all intents and purposes with his friend Sinner, without mincing words and without lingering even for a moment
“No one would want to be in his shoes,” he noted, “but I know him well and I’m sure it was a mistake. Matthew is 100 percent sure that Jannik is innocent and that the Clostebol contamination, as ascertained by the medical board and Itia, was entirely unintentional. There is another passage in his speech, however, that is chilling.
“I had seen something different in his eyes, maybe less joy than usual. When it all came out I understood what was boiling in the pot. He did great results despite the situation,” the Roman added, admitting that he sensed in recent weeks that something was wrong and that his compatriot was upset. Empathy, understanding. A friend of those worth holding on to.