Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berretini presented £11 gift card in parking garage after winning odd tournament
Matteo Berrettini Receives Unusual Prize After Winning ‘Hottest ATP Player’ Tournament
Matteo Berrettini is no stranger to trophy presentations. The 2021 Wimbledon finalist and 10-time title winner has lifted silverware on some of the sport’s biggest stages. But his latest victory came with a far more unusual prize—and in an even stranger setting.
During Indian Wells, Berrettini was awarded an £11 ($15) Olive Garden gift card in a parking lot after winning a unique fan-voted competition. The tournament, organized by retired American players Steve Johnson and Sam Querrey on their Nothing Major podcast, set out to determine the “hottest” ATP player.
Co-hosting alongside former top-10 stars John Isner and Jack Sock, the group created a knockout-style draw, pitting male tennis stars against each other and letting fans vote for their favorites. The bracket featured players like British No. 1 Jack Draper and three-time Grand Slam finalist Casper Ruud, but the final showdown came down to Berrettini and Tommy Paul. In the end, the Italian claimed victory with 64% of the vote.
Berrettini took his lighthearted title in stride, joking that this was his 11th career trophy. And the Nothing Major hosts made sure to deliver a proper—albeit unconventional—celebration. In the middle of an Indian Wells parking lot, Johnson and Querrey presented Berrettini with a winner’s sash, an engraved trophy, and the now-famous Olive Garden gift card—a fitting reward for an Italian champion.
Runner-up Tommy Paul also received a trophy, though his reaction in the photos suggested he wasn’t too thrilled about coming second. The podcast’s Instagram account posted the moment with the caption:
“The People’s Champion. Matteo Berrettini was officially presented with his ‘Hottie Bracket’ championship trophy and Olive Garden gift card in a prestigious sunny Indian Wells parking lot.”
The retired players also joked about seeking a sponsorship deal from Olive Garden, writing:
“Can you believe this wasn’t sponsored by Olive Garden? Ps: @olivegarden dm us.”
Despite his off-court victory, Berrettini’s run in Indian Wells ended in the third round with a loss to Stefanos Tsitsipas. Meanwhile, Paul had some bragging rights over the Italian, making it to the tournament’s round of 16.
As for the Hottie Bracket? Paul might be looking for redemption next year, with Johnson teasing:
“Tommy said he will be working hard to avenge this tough loss!”
