What's going on with Matteo Berrettini? Flavia Pennetta continues to believe in him
In 2023, Matteo Berrettini is not running at all. Criticism is mounting in Italy that the 2021 Wimbledon finalist is too focused on his private life, especially his new girlfriend. Ex-professional player and compatriot Flavia Pennetta is now jumping to Berrettini's side.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Mar 25, 2023, 06:20 am
Flavia Pennetta tries to defend Matteo Berrettini from the harsh criticism that has hit him after recent failures. There are many voices in Italy that suggest that Berrettini is too focused on his private life instead of being on the pitch.
In an interview with the Italian website Fanpage.it, his compatriot Pennetta said: "Critics come and go. We athletes know when we can't be at 100 percent. We're used to being pressured. The problem is always the same thing: when you start winning, people get excited and assume everything is for granted, but that's not the case because tennis is a very tough sport."
And Pannetta, who as Fabio Fognini's wife is also in the focus of the Italian tabloid press, continues: "Matteo was right in saying that he was a normal boy. He left it at that and that was good because he said enough straight away. Every situation is different. There are times when everything goes well and times when you lose a little confidence. Few come back and win. Here are Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal."
Many fans and media have criticized Berrettini's new love story with Italian showgirl Melissa Satta. The couple is currently receiving a lot of hostility, especially on social media.
Matteo Berrettini also reacted personally to the debate in an interview with the Italian newspaper “La Repubblica”. The 2021 Wimbledon finalist explained: "I don't feel like I took a different path than tennis. I'm still the same guy as I always have been. I'm in a romantic relationship like any other boy my age. Normal and again sorry that something so positive, which is a feeling, is then portrayed as a distraction Haters aside, sorry for those in the know about tennis: it's not constructive criticism and I don't understand why ."
At the Masters tournament in Miami, Berrettini meets Mackenzie McDonald in the first round and is 19th seeded in Florida.