ATP CUP

January 6, 2022

Vincenzo Santopadre

Matteo Berrettini

Jannik Sinner

Team Italy

Press Conference

MEDVEDEV-SAFIULLIN/Berrettini-Sinner

5-7, 6-4, 10-5

Team Russian Tennis Federation - 2

Team Italy - 1

THE MODERATOR: Bad luck to Team Italy. We'd like to hear from the captain, what do you think made the difference in the end of the doubles?

VINCENZO SANTOPADRE: I think we were really close to win this tie, but the guys here, they did their best. They gave more than 100%. I think they have to be happy about the performance.

Of course we have to say that when it's so close, the match, just few points in the match tiebreak weren't so good. But we had our chances but they were really good. I think they played both against France and against Russia two very good doubles. So I think they can be a really good team, and they have to continue to work like this.

Q. Matteo, obviously disappointing to lose today. Can you just speak about the great atmosphere, both in your singles and in the doubles.

MATTEO BERRETTINI: Yeah, the atmosphere was great. Was I think both matches were high level. Also Jannik's match. I think hopefully the crowd enjoyed.

There were a lot of Italians, a lot of Russians. And we really like to play in these conditions. I mean, I think the atmosphere helped me and helped us to give our best.

It was just a bad day, you know, but like in a way we just lost, but like the captain said, we gave everything, and we have just to keep playing and keep improving.

Q. Some incredible serving from you, particularly in the second set. What do you take out of that match? Were there some good signs for your game?

MATTEO BERRETTINI: Yeah, definitely. I mean, I played with one of the best guys if not -- also the best guy in it right now. He won the last major. For sure he's one of the one that is probably going to win the Australian Open, as well.

I'm really happy for my performance. Last time I played him one year ago I was, I think, more far than I am right now. Like I said, I need these matches to improve, and today I was closer than last time. Hopefully next time is going to be a good one.

Q. Finally, just a very specific question. You played de Minaur who is standing on the baseline to return your serve, and then Medvedev today. What is more off-putting, what challenges you more as a server between those two approaches?

MATTEO BERRETTINI: They are, yeah, different players, but they both return really well. I played Alex in the Queen's and he wasn't staying like so close the baseline. This time he tried like that. I mean, I had to say it worked really pretty well for him.

Obviously it's different. You know, like when Alex is returning, you have to be like more ready. You have to play the first shot, you have to be really fast after the serve.

With Daniil, you have more time. So it's different. The rallies are longer, and it's just a different game, yeah.

Q. Jannik, how would you assess your singles win today? Also, what do you take out of the tournament?

JANNIK SINNER: Well, of course it was I think high-level match, because he played well and I was in a situation where I was fighting. I mean, I was expecting this kind of match, because we play quite similar.

Yeah, I think at the end, especially the first set, maybe in the tiebreak I got a little bit lucky, but, you know, sometimes you need luck. Yeah, in the second set I tried to push a little bit more, which worked.

Taking out of the tournament, I think it's not the way we want it to end, but, I mean, it is what it is. But from my side, I tried 100%, like Matteo, and all of the rest of the team, which is the most important thing. Hopefully next time can go better.

Q. Finally, what are your plans for next week?

JANNIK SINNER: I don't know yet. But I think practice every day (smiling). Let's see.

Q. Unlucky today. Matteo, can I ask you, Rafa has weighed in on what he thinks of Novak not playing here at the Australian Open, saying that sort of had the time to get vaccinated, and he sort of let the issue get into the authorities' hands and he should have just got vaccinated essentially. Do you agree with that or do you have some sympathy for Novak in the situation he's in right now?

MATTEO BERRETTINI: I mean, for sure I have sympathy for Novak. Nobody wants to be in that situation. I think it's not nice to be -- I don't know how many hours he was there. But at same time, I can understand why Australian people obviously feel like in their way, I think Melbourne had the longest lockdown in the world, so I can understand these people.

It's a really tough situation to comment. Today I was focused on my matches and unluckily we lost. And obviously we followed. It was too big to not follow a little bit. It just really complicated. What I can tell you is that I am vaccinated, I'm here, and then we see how this thing is gonna be.

Q. From a tennis perspective, you mentioned Daniil. If Novak is not here, do you think Daniil will be the favorite? Who else do you think is the other contenders without Novak here, the favorite for the Australian Open?

MATTEO BERRETTINI: I think there are a lot of players that can actually win the tournament. I like to say myself. I think I have to believe in that.

Sascha is playing really good. Stefanos is getting better. This guy on my left, I think he's really playing good tennis. This guy, not Jannik (smiling), Vincenzo.

So there are a lot of players that can win the title, and I think it's exciting.