‘I find it romantic’ – Berrettini counters Medvedev gripe on Federer, Nadal and Djokovic

Contrary to Daniil Medvedev, Matteo Berrettini is not bothered about the fact that he and other top players of the next generation must deal with fans backing the ‘Big Three’ of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in matches against them. 

In his press conference after defeat to Nadal in the Australian Open final, Medvedev said he had had his expectations of fan support blighted by the experience, claiming talk of backing younger players to down the ‘Big Three’ were ‘lies’.

“Every time I stepped on the court in big matches [against the ‘Big Three’], I really didn’t see many people who wanted me to win,” Medvedev claimed.

On the other hand, Berrettini recognises why spectators feel that way.

“It is only a matter of time, it will pass,” the Italian told La Repubblica.

“The same was true with Nadal, at the beginning.

“People said ‘but he looks like this, he plays with the long shorts’ and the public cheered for Sampras, for Agassi, not for the new champions who would also become legends.

“I’ll say more, I understand people who love myths, I’m not bothered on the court.

“Maybe I too, if I were in the stands, would cheer for them.

‘Because cheering on Nadal, Djokovic or Federer means being together with your memories, it means remaining attached to a part of your heart.

“I find it romantic,” Berrettini admitted.

While perhaps the crowd were not as strongly in favour of Nadal against Berrettini in the Australian Open semi-finals, the world number six did still have to contend with not being the crowd favourite during that loss to the Spaniard.

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