Matteo Berrettini doesn’t change his mind about Jannik Sinner
Matteo Berrettini is with Jannik Sinner
In an interview with Corriere della Sera, Matteo Berrettini reiterated his total solidarity with Jannik Sinner, who was disqualified for three months for the Clostebol case: "I have always supported Jannik, I don't stop doing so now. I think it is a very hard time for him, he pays a mistake, I am sorry. I am not a lawyer, I don’t have the details. But I have no doubt that he will come back stronger".
The world number one is paying for a mistake in which è Umberto Ferrare, Sinner’s former trainer and now on Berrettini’s team, was involved: "I can say that when I choose a new team member, there are thoughts and reflections behind it: I consider Umberto a serious professional, Jannik also said this in public and private form. È a mistake was made, unfortunately. It should not have happened but è it happened. When I met with Umberto to talk about work this topic è entered the conversation, of course. But the evaluation è was another: I am convinced that it can help me in my growth process. Then if people è amazed, weirded out, angry, I don’t know what to do. Honestly, I stopped caring what people think a long time ago: if I read every comment, I wouldn’t hold the weight of it all".
"Have I heard from Sinner? No, it seems more fair to respect his moment. The’topic è complex. È difficult, indeed impossible, to control everything. The Atp helps us: when we go to play in certain countries it advises us by mail not to eat red meat that could be contaminated, for example. We have always been used to being extremely careful, then’things can always happen that escape’attention".
"Little sympathy" towards Sinner? I am friends with everyone and best friends with no one. My real friends are not my colleagues but not because I dislike them. True friends are built from’childhood, over time, they have to be cultivated. At tournaments you create your core, your team. È clearly with Sonego, Bolelli and Vavassori I have a more intimate relationship: we have known each other all our lives. But if Vava breaks up with his girlfriend, he doesn’t come and tell me about it… In times of crisis you don’t turn to your colleague but to your friend. We are talking about working friendships. And the basis of everything must be respect, which is often lacking".
Closing remark on Novak Djokovic, Berrettini’s next opponent in Doha: "It will be a very tough match. I’ve been trying to remember how long it’s been since I’ve played against him or trained together… For better or worse, he remains Djokovic. I am happy to be able to play a match like that… I feel fit and strong: these are the matches that motivate me to give my best. And maybe, hopefully, to beat him for the first time".
