Matteo Berrettini is currently spearheading an unprecedented Italian charge at the Davis Cup, as they seek a third-straight title at this event.
As the defending champions, they naturally headed to this event as favourites.
That was, even despite the absence of both Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti, both of whom withdrew from the ‘World Cup of Tennis’ during the ATP Finals week.
Prioritising recovery over an opportunity to win three in a row, those called upon to replace them have certainly held their own thus far.
Now, they are within touching distance of yet another Davis Cup triumph.
Matteo Berrettini says what his relationship with Flavio Cobolli is like
Berrettini has been keen to step into a starring role in the absence of Sinner and Musetti, and has now spoken about his fellow teammates.
In particular, the Italian sought to share what his relationship with Flavio Cobolli is like, emphasising how he no longer needs to babysit the 23-year-old.
The senior superstar admitted: “I’m definitely not babysitting him (smiling).”
Berrettini then told a story: “I’m definitely not babysitting him (smiling).
“We are practising together. We are just sharing moments together. I know that he said to someone, I don’t remember who, after Miami that he was struggling a little bit. He wasn’t crying when I saw him, but he was really sad.
“He was walking with Vincenzo’s son Matteo, which obviously I know him since a long time, as well. They were walking. I was looking at these two kids. I met them when they were really, really young. I felt like maybe I can tell them something because I’ve been there struggling, not winning matches. I know Flavio can play really well.
The Davis Cup has to make a change… which is your preference?
“I told him, What are you going to do now?
“He was like, I feel like I should just win some matches. I’m going to play a challenger in Naples.
“I was like, Flavio, you’re 30 in the world. You don’t need that. I think your level is up there. Just train two weeks and then things are going to come. Don’t worry about it.
“He won Bucharest after that. Small things, sometimes because you’re a little bit older, wiser, you’ve been there, you can just tell them don’t worry.”
The 29-year-old does heed his own advice, as he concluded: “I always took this kind of advice from players that were older than me. Obviously everybody has a different path, but at the same time certain things you can see it. Flavio loves this game, he loves to fight.
“I just told him, Don’t you worry, child (smiling).”
Italy on the verge of three straight Davis Cup titles
With both Berrettini and Cobolli winning last night to give Italy a simple victory over Belgium, they are into a third-straight Davis Cup final.
They now await the outcome of Spain’s clash with Germany later today to decide who will stand between them and glory.
David Ferrer reacted to Spain’s impressive win over Czechia earlier this week and will have his sights set on upsetting the Italians on home soil.
Had they not lost Carlos Alcaraz to injury the week before, their success at this event would have felt assured.
As such, the Spaniards face two tough tasks if they are to battle their way to the Davis Cup title.
