[ad_1]
With eight players in the Top 100 of the FedEx ATP rankings, Italy has no shortage of talent to build its ATP Cup squad. Matteo Berrettini is hoping his country’s tennis renaissance continues in Melbourne as he prepares for his tournament debut.
The 24-year-old is joined by two of Italy’s longtime standard-bearers in men’s tennis, Fabio Fognini and Simone Bolelli. Fognini has won nine ATP Tour singles titles, including the biggest of his career at the 2019 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters. The 33-year-old also won the 2015 Australian Open doubles trophy with Bolelli, which makes it the first all-Italian men’s team to win a Grand Slam title. Doubles star Andrea Vavassori and captain Vicenzo Santopadre round out the squad.
You might also like: Nadal: ‘We will try to put on a good show’
For Berrettini, having a host of champions ahead of him – as well as #NextGenATP stars like the rapidly rising 19-year-old Jannik Sinner – has always been a source of motivation throughout his career.
“We always help each other to exceed our limits,” said Berrettini. “One week [Fabio] win a tournament, next week I’m trying to win my tournament, at least my best result. I think it’s really healthy competition.
“We watched them and were inspired by them. They always have great careers. I think it helps us figure out how to do it.
Berrettini burst onto the scene after a groundbreaking 2019 season highlighted by a race to the US Open semi-finals. He won two titles en route to No. 8 in the FedEx ATP rankings, but missed last year’s ATP Cup with injury.
“I think we’re all very excited to play, really excited to come back and play with the crowd as well. It’s been a long time … It’s nice to play as a team. We are a strong team. We are good friends. It’s gonna be fun.
This team support will be essential for the Italians as they play in a heated Group C against Austria and France, spurred on by Dominic Thiem and Gael Monflis. As one of the four nations that has multiple Top 20 players, they will also rely on Fognini to do some damage in Singles Match 2.
A showman at heart, the 33-year-old will channel the energy of the Melbourne crowds more than ever during his second ATP Cup appearance.
“We are lucky to be here and we are playing with a great crowd on the court,” said Fognini. “My opinion, the player that I am, the person that I am, I feel that I need [the crowd] because, of course, sometimes I’m a little crazy. I’m doing something special in every sense of the word, but really enjoying it.
Source link
