Berrettini reveals why he decided to become a professional tennis player – “Grandparents still into it”

When Matteo Berrettini was a kid, he went to the Rome Masters and determined he wanted to be a professional tennis player.

Berrettini stated particularly that he intended to sneak into the Rome Masters’ Centre Court to see a Roger Federer match.

“I remember going to see the Masters 1000 in Rome when I was a kid. I was trying to sneak into center court to see a Roger Federer match.

“I think that in that event and the experience of seeing the best players on the Tour compete were the reasons.

“Which is why I am now a professional tennis player. Another reason is that my whole family plays tennis. They love this sport and even my grandparents still play it.

“Tennis is in our DNA. No one has ever been a professional tennis player, but love for the sport has always been there,” Berrettini said as per reports on Punto de Break.

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Matteo Berrettini. Source: dailyliberal.com

Federer was a childhood hero for Berrettini

At Wimbledon in 2019, Berrettini faced his childhood idol Federer for the first time. Federer thrashed Berrettini 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 back then.

Berrettini couldn’t believe he was performing in front of his childhood hero on one of the world’s most prestigious stages.

“I grew up watching Roger Federer and always cheering for him. I supported him as much as I could, watching him on TV every time he played.

“Then I realized that I was playing the same tournament as him. So I couldn’t support him in the same way anymore.

“I have told this story to Roger because now we get along so well on the Tour.

“I think that’s why the first time we met on Center Court at Wimbledon he destroyed me, because I couldn’t believe I was still there. playing against my idol on one of the most iconic courts on the Tour,” Berrettini explained.

Read More: Berrettini pins hopes on Sinner to qualify for the 2021 ATP Finals

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