“It seems to me that Berrettini is dedicating himself more to advertising than to tennis” – Pietrangeli

Pietrangeli is a former two-time French Championships winner and is considered one of Italy’s greatest champions

Matteo Berrettini at the 2023 Australian Open Image Credit: Imago / Panoramic

February 17, 2023

Italian tennis legend Nicola Pietrangeli, a two-time winner of the French Championships prior to the Open Era, is not very pleased with the way Matteo Berrettini‘s career is unfolding.

The 26-year-old Berrettini is now ranked No 23 in the world, down from his career best ranking of No 6 that he achieved in January 2022. And Pietrangeli thinks that Berrettini is more interested in building his brand rather than focusing on his tennis.

Speaking at the time of being honored by the foreign press with the Lifetime Achievement Sports Award, Pietrangeli, who is now 89 years old, said as quoted by Gazzetta in Italian,” It seems to me that Matteo Berrettini is dedicating himself more to advertising than to tennis. I wouldn’t want him to end up like (Filippo) Volandri, who after beating (Roger) Federer in Rome never won a match again. Berrettini is a good guy, but he’s a bit like Panatta was.. fantastic from the waist up, but the legs..”.

Berrettini has a 3-3 record in 2023, going 3-2 at the United Cup and then bowing out to Andy Murray in a five-set thriller in the first round of the Australian Open last month.

The Italian is expected to return to the circuit in Acapulco at the end of this month before heading to the United States for the sunshine Doubles – Indian Wells and Miami.

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