Matteo Berrettini drops double bombshell and pens a tribute to his coach

James Richardson 28 Oct 2023 5:54 PM

Matteo Berrettini and his coach, Vincenzo Santopadre sit during a break in a practice session ahead of the Australian Open.

Matteo Berrettini penned a moving tribute to his long-time coach on Saturday as he announced that he has parted ways with Vincenzo Santopadre.

Berrettini hoped that the end of the professional relationship with strengthen his friendship with his mentor.

The Italian also announced that he had ended his season due to injury and would be looking to bounce back in January.

He added that ‘The Hammer’ would not exist without the work of Santopadre.

“I arrived in your “tennis arms” not yet knowing what I wanted to do of my life, you managed to make me dream far away while keeping my feet on the ground, day by day,” Berrettini wrote on Instagram.

“I don’t think I can put it down something that can really express what I feel for you. Gratitude, affection, respect, admiration, gratitude, joy and everything that is beautiful in our relationship.

“This is just a professional goodbye that probably increases our personal relationship. I’ve felt you on my side in every difficult moment faced in the last 13 years and, although there have been many hardships, I feel only joy thinking to me and you.

“I’m happy and grateful to the people who made us meet, and proud of us for how we have exploited this gift that has been granted to us. Without you there would have been Matteo Berrettini, but there wouldn’t have been The Hammer.”

His 2023 season didn’t deliver many highs but Berrettini looks set for a reset now and could be set to show the ATP Tour who The Hammer is.

Berrettini has a powerful forehand and a strong serve. And it is quite tough to stop the Italian once he goes inside the baseline.

“I like to put power on all my shots. I’m pretty big and tall I like to win the point with my strokes,” Berrettini says of his power game.

When the ball lands on Matteo Berrettini’s forehand, you can anticipate a rocket. During his battles, “The Hammer” smacks everything that moves with tremendous force and at his best will drill boatloads of winners.

The best in the game has acknowledge the gifts of Berrettini and not a few fans will hope to see him back at his best in 2024.

“[He’s the] hammer of tennis. Next to [Juan Martin] del Potro, probably the hardest hitter of serve and forehand,” Novak Djokovic said of Berrettini ahead of their showdown in the 2021 Wimbledon final.

“He’s got the lethal serve-plus-one game. He’s already established as a top player.

“Without a doubt, he played a… semi-final here a couple years ago, final in Wimbledon. That was a tough four-setter. If he serves well, which is his biggest weapon, he’s tough. He’s tough on any surface to play against.

“I’ve had some really close matches with him at Roland Garros and Wimbledon recently. We’re going to play the third Grand Slam in a row against each other. Hopefully the result will be the same as the previous two.”

Berrettini will likely drop out of the top 100 of the ATP Rankings before he is in action again.