In a surprising turn of events for the tennis world, Matteo Berrettini bid farewell to his mentor and coach, a partnership that spanned an impressive 13 years and catapulted Berrettini to the upper echelons of professional tennis. The departure from his compatriot and longtime guide, who nurtured Berrettini’s innate talent to transform him into one of Italy’s finest male tennis players, marked a significant shift in the player’s career trajectory.
Berrettini’s ascent to his maiden Grand Slam final at the 2021 Wimbledon Championships undeniably owed a substantial debt to the guidance and tutelage provided by his departing mentor, whose imprint was unmistakably evident in Berrettini’s gameplay and especially in the refinement of his signature serve—a pivotal aspect that distinguished him as one of the sport’s most proficient ball strikers.
The announcement of the split sent shockwaves through the tennis community, with the mentor, whose name remains undisclosed, expressing his initial reaction as nothing short of traumatic during an interview with Corriere dello Sport. Despite the emotional upheaval, Berrettini took to Instagram to pen a heartfelt farewell, acknowledging the coach’s instrumental role in honing his skills, particularly praising the transformation of his serve into a defining weapon on the court.
In a candid reflection on their professional bond, the mentor likened their relationship during tours to that of a committed couple, emphasizing the intensity and time investment akin to familial dedication, making the separation an emotionally challenging experience.
“It was a small shock, a small trauma, it is undeniable that it is like this. I think Matteo and I have been good at protecting our relationship, not affecting it in any way,” stated the coach.
While their professional paths diverge, both Berrettini and the departing mentor mutually agreed to maintain an amicable relationship off the court, despite the rigors of the tennis circuit and the challenges ahead for Berrettini.
In the quest for a new coaching alliance, Berrettini was initially linked with former World No. 4 Thomas Enqvist, but ultimately opted for Francisco Roig, formerly associated with tennis maestro Rafael Nadal. Santopadre, the departing coach, expressed optimism regarding Roig’s potential to elevate Berrettini’s game, citing his vast experience and understanding of tennis, both technically and on a human level.
“He (Roig) is a very experienced coach: he was an excellent tennis player and knows this sport very well both technically and on a human level,” Santopadre remarked, anticipating a positive influence from Roig on Berrettini’s development.
As Berrettini navigates a challenging phase marred by injuries, the transition to a new coaching dynamic under Roig presents an opportunity for resurgence, igniting hope for a resurgence in Berrettini’s ranking and performance on the tennis circuit.
The departure from a long-standing partnership marks the beginning of a new chapter in Berrettini’s career, signaling a readiness to embrace change in pursuit of continued success on the tennis court.
Matteo Berrettini in 2023
Ranked world no.92, Matteo played his last match on the 31st of August when he had to retire when playing against world no.96 Arthur Rinderknech in the 2nd round and the scoreline was 6-4 5-3 .
During this season Berrettini has achieved an overall 14-12 match record. Matteo Berrettini’s best achievement of this season was reaching the final in Australia.
Berrettini is scheduled to compete next in Brisbane (Brisbane International). He will start the tournament from the qualifications on the 31st of December.
Matteo Berrettini |
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