Berrettini between unexpected denials and statements regarding the future: the Roman tennis player finally came clean.
Someone thought Jannik Sinner was gnawing when Matteo Berrettini, in the aftermath of the final at Wimbledon, was greeted in celebration at the Quirinal and earned access to the Nitto Atp Finals. And someone else thought the Roman was pinking in turn as the South Tyrolean, step by step, day by day, climbed the rankings and touched heights unattainable for many.
But reality, we know, is often different from what we imagine it to be. It was easy to think that there was bad blood between the two blue tennis players. That at the root of their relationship was envy and agonism. Instead, there is none of that. And the sincere hugs that the number 4 and the former world number 6 exchange every time they see each other are a direct testimony to that. A relationship that has grown over time and that could be good for one as much as the other. To Matthew especially, who never needs encouragement and reference points more than at this moment.
Once again, at the entrance of the Quirinale, the two champions melted in an embrace that made the people on social media daydream. The occasion was one of those beautiful, beautiful ones: Mattarella had been waiting for the Azzurri since last November, to celebrate together, in a slightly more formal setting, the much-coveted Davis Cup.
Berrettini: “I needed new stimulation. “
On the sidelines of the event, then, Berrettini finally came clean. He revealed the background of this long break and we had the chance, it was about time, to find out what is happening in his life in these weeks that seem so long.
“The work with Roig is going well,” Matteo told Gazzetta dello Sport, speaking for the first time about his new coach, “It’s interesting because it’s different from what I’ve always done. After so many years, I needed new stimulation, I needed a change and I’m happy. The program did not go right away as we would have liked, not being able to play because of the foot problem, but I have good feelings.”
Having denied once and for all the Marseille hypothesis-“Never asked for a wild card”-it now seems certain that it will be Indian Wells that will host the long-awaited return of the 2021 Wimbledon finalist. And it matters little if he will not be 100 percent. Neither was he last year at “his” England Club, on the other hand. Yet, he had still managed to nab the round of 16. We’ll make do with them: as long as he comes back.
