Berrettini Is Playing For His Team, His Country At Davis Cup Final 8

Matteo Berrettini
Matteo Berrettini (photo: Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images for ITF)

BOLOGNA/WASHINGTON, November 20, 2025 (by Michael Dickens)

Italy’s Matteo Berrettini found himself staring at a 5-2 deficit in the second set – and resigned to playing a decider – after winning the first set of his No. 2 singles match against Jurij Rodionov of Austria at the Davis Cup Final 8 in Bologna, Italy Wednesday afternoon.

Suddenly, the 56th-ranked Italian made an about-face against all odds and came back with a break of serve in the ninth game against Rodionov, a lefty who spent much of this season toiling on the ATP Challenger Tour. Berrettini, who is known for his aggressive, powerful game that features a big serve and forehand, saved three set points against his 177th-ranked opponent in the following game. Eventually, Berrettini prevailed in a second-set tie-break, converting his first match point to win, 6-3, 7-6 (4), in one hour and 46 minutes. His victory enabled Italy to grab a 1-0 lead over the Austrians.

While Italy went on advance to Friday’s semifinal-round against Belgium, the 6-foot-5-inch Roman is taking full advantage of the opportunity to represent his country in the Davis Cup Final 8 due to the absences of World No. 2 Jannik Sinner and World No. 8 Lorenzo Musetti. The Italians have now reached four straight semifinals at the Davis Cup.

“I was really happy to step on court. I was really happy actually to be called first, then to come here, enjoy this atmosphere, the team, teammates, my good friends. It’s just so special for me,” Berrettini said during his post-match news conference, after he gave Italy a 1-0 lead. Soon, his teammate, World No. 22 Flavio Cobolli, stepped up and clinched Italy’s 2-0 victory over Austria after blitzing No. 80 Filip Misolic, 6-1, 6-3, in just 65 minutes.

“Really one of the reasons why I’m playing tennis is to feel this kind of energy, to feel these kind of emotions,” Berrettini added. “I’m really happy. Then,  obviously, I’m happy that I won. I’m not just playing for myself, but for my team, for my country.

“In that game, I would say I’m wise enough tennis-wise to know that games like that can happen. With my serve, I can hold regardless of the score. I told myself to take one point at a time. I served well. I think I was really clutch. I’m glad for that.”

Italy’s team captain, Filippo Volandri, praised both Berrettini and Cobolli after their twin wins Wednesday. “I’m really happy how they managed the tough situation, especially Matteo’s match,” he said during his team’s post-match news conference. “It’s something that you don’t learn. Especially when you go Love-40, that kind of games, they make the difference in the end. They both did it. I’m really happy and proud for that.”

Considering how much time Berrettini has missed on the ATP Tour the past couple of years while plagued by a series of injuries, including a significant right oblique injury this season that caused him to withdraw from both the French Open and US Open and impacted his ranking, the 29-year-old nicknamed “The Hammer” is thankful to be able to have a chance to contribute to a very talented Italian Davis Cup team, which is looking to win its third-straight Davis Cup trophy.

“It’s so important, it’s so important. It’s always been so important,” Berrettini emphasized. “I understood throughout my career that living these kind of feelings and emotions, atmosphere, is really what makes me feel alive when I do this sport.

“I know there are no ATP points. I know that it’s a competition that they say lost a little bit of value throughout the years. But I personally find the best feelings when I play. I’m not talking about my game, but the proudness or the team effort, the chemistry that you build with your teammates.”

Berrettini stressed the important role of being a part of a team and that it’s helped him, especially when he was struggling the past two years with trying to stay healthy. “Sometimes I was struggling to find the right motivations to come back,” he admitted. “Davis Cup was one of them. I’m so glad that I pushed through and now I’m here enjoying this time.”

Berrettini said he appreciates being able to play the Davis Cup Final 8 in front of home fans in Bologna. “It’s so important for us. When you sing the national anthem, you’re there with your teammates,” he said. “I always think about when I was a kid and I was watching them on TV singing. I was like, ‘One day it would be good to be there.’ That’s why I think it’s special to just believe in your dreams and keep working, because sometimes it’s happening.  When it happens, you have to appreciate that.

Being able to play the Davis Cup Final 8 in front of home fans in Bologna is something Berrettini appreciates. “It’s so important for us. When you sing the national anthem, you’re there with your teammates,” he said. “I always think about when I was a kid and I was watching them on TV singing. I was like, ‘One day it would be good to be there.’ That’s why I think it’s special to just believe in your dreams and keep working, because sometimes it’s happening.  When it happens, you have to appreciate that.

“I’m really glad of my journey. I know there were tough moments, there were injuries. But at the end of the day it’s a really good career and I’m really happy. I’m healthy now. I want to enjoy this competition.”

 

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