Italian tennis legend explains what he thought was ‘awful’ about Matteo Berrettini’s matches at the 2024 Davis Cup
Italian tennis legend explains what he thought was ‘awful’ about Matteo Berrettini’s matches at the 2024 Davis Cup
Matteo Berrettini helped bring home Italy’s second consecutive Davis Cup title in Malaga.
Italy won their third Davis Cup title, beating the Netherlands 2-0 in the final, retaining the title they won last year.
It was another great result for the country, as Italy won the Billie Jean King Cup, the week prior.
(L-R) Captain Tathiana Garbin, Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Jasmine Paolini, Lucia Bronzetti, Sara Errani and Martina Trevisan of Italy celebrate with t…
Photo by Giampiero Sposito/Getty Images
The week started off strongly as Italy battled past Argentina, 2-1, to advance to the quarter-finals.
Jannik Sinner’s win against Alex de Minaur in the semi-final against Australia secured the Italian’s place in the final.
With a second consecutive title on the line, Italy and Sinner comfortably took down the Dutch, without dropping a set.
Sinner may have been the star man but another Italian took home many of the headlines, although one tennis legend has had some harsh words to say about his performances at the tournament.
Nicola Pietrangeli on Matteo Berrettini’s two ‘awful’ matches at the Davis Cup
Nicola Pietrangeli, winner of two Grand Slam titles, and team captain of Italy’s first-ever Davis Cup-winning side, spoke to Il Messagerro, to give his thoughts on his nation’s 2024 campaign.
Nicola Pietrangeli watches the match with Matteo Berrettini of Italy against Alexander Blockx of Belgium during the 2024 Davis Cup Finals Group Sta…
“It was a great emotion,” he said.
“But it’s not like they beat any great opponents, I expected a different path.
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“The only annoyance they had was with Argentina, for that initial setback.”
Lorenzo Musetti lost to Argentine Francisco Cerundolo in Italy’s opening quarter-final match, before Jannik Sinner helped turn things around.
“But then, when you already know you’re starting with a one-point advantage, because we can confidently say this,” said Pietrangeli.
“Then, you play more calmly.”
After Musetti’s opening defeat, he was replaced in singles action for the remainder of the tournament by former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini.
Matteo Berrettini of Team Italy shakes hands with his coaches after defeating Botic van de Zandschulp of Team Netherlands during the 2024 Davis Cup…
The big-serving Italian won both of his singles matches in Malaga, but Pietrangeli wasn’t the biggest fan of his performances.
“[Matteo] Berrettini’s two matches were awful,” he said.
“But the result was beautiful which is what counts in the Davis Cup.”
What did all three of Italy’s Davis Cup wins have in common?
After waiting 47 years for a second Davis Cup crown, Italy won a third title just one year later.
The Italians have now lifted the ‘World Cup of tennis’ three times in their history, but what do all three of their triumphs have in common.
Whether it be Jannik Sinner or Adriano Panatta leading the charge, the Italians seem to always beat Team Australia en route to the title.
1976 – Italy win their first Davis Cup (Beat Australia in SF)
Italy’s maiden Davis Cup triumph came in 1976, when Adriano Panatta led his side to victory in Santiago against Chile in the final.
Italian Adriano Panatta hits a forehand to his opponent US Harold Salomon at the French tennis Open in Paris 02 June 1976. Panatta won the tounament.
Champion at the French Open earlier in the year, Panatta won his three matches in the final, securing the title for Italy.
Things had been trickier in the semi-finals, however, as he faced off against fellow Grand Slam winner John Newcombe in the deciding match of the tie against Australia.
After losing the first set, Panatta rattled off the next three, securing his and Italy’s place in the Davis Cup Final.
2023 – Italy win a second Davis Cup (Beat Australia in F)
After battling past the Netherlands and Serbia to reach the final, Italy faced off against an old foe, Australia in the final.
Young star Matteo Arnaldi faced a tough fight from Alexei Popyrin in the opener, with the Italian winning in three tight-sets.
It was then time for the main man in Italian tennis to take center stage, as Sinner took on De Minaur with the title on the line.
The Italian made light work of his Australian opponent, as he won dropping just three games all match, securing a second Davis Cup title for Italy.
Filippo Volandri, Jannik Sinner, Lorenzo Musetti, Matteo Arnaldi, Lorenzo Sonego and Simone Bolelli of Italy celebrate with the Davis Cup Trophy af…
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for ITF
2024 – Italy defend the Davis Cup (Beat Australia in SF)
After a slight wobble against Argentina in the quarter-finals, they came up against some very familiar opposition in the last four.
Matteo Berrettini beat Thanasi Kokkinakis in a thriller to give Italy the lead against Australia.
De Minaur then faced the impossible task of beating Sinner to keep his nation’s hopes alive and trailing 8-0 in the head-to-head, it seemed unlikely.
Sinner dispatched De Minaur 6-3, 6-4, as Italy qualified for the final, where they made light work of the Netherlands to take home the title.
