For Matteo Berrettini, This Wimbledon Was Years in the Making

“And then, after the U.S. Open, I looked at myself in the mirror and said: When you’re switched on like this, when your weapons are working, when your mind-set is there, you’re really dangerous. And after that, I felt it.”

While top-ranked Novak Djokovic remains the clear favorite in the top half of the draw, Santopadre said Berrettini’s self-assurance that he belongs in the upper echelon of the sport has become as formidable a weapon as his powerful serve and forehand.

“The best thing is right now he knows, perfectly, that he’s a top player,” Santopadre said. “His awareness of that has improved a lot. He feels that he’s comfortable playing top players. He knows he can win against everybody. He knows he can win a Grand Slam title.”

Berrettini, who arrived to Wimbledon as a popular pick to reach the final after winning the nearby warm-up event at the Queen’s Club in London, said that after more than a decade of rejiggering expectations of what could be possible, he and Santopadre feel that he is ready to win this tournament.

“I believe that, and my team believes that,” Berrettini said. “It took us a little bit of time, but now everyone is looking in the same direction, and it feels great.”

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/08/sports/tennis/wimbledon-matteo-berrettini-semifinals.html