DAVIS CUP FINALS

November 19, 2024

Filippo Volandri

Matteo Berrettini

Lorenzo Musetti

Andrea Vavassori

Simone Bolelli

Team Italy

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Good morning, everyone. We will commence with the press conversation for Team Italy. Please raise your hand for questions in English.

Q. Matteo, yesterday you were cheering the girls in the Billie Jean King Cup. How is the atmosphere in the Italian team in general? How do you support each other? And what the men's team can learn from the women's team?

MATTEO BERRETTINI: Yeah, the atmosphere was great. We wanted to go there to, you know, to support the girls. I think it's really cool that it's in the same place, you know, we're playing. It doesn't happen that often to play together. I missed the Olympic Games, which I think was similar, so I wanted to feel that.

And the atmosphere was great. Actually, I was surprised about how many Polish people were there (smiling). We were surprised, and so we started to, you know, we tried to cheer and scream even more, and the girls made unbelievable effort. We're so happy.

I think the atmosphere between the teammates, it's great, as our team, as well. They are in the final, so hopefully we're going to do the same (indicating crossed fingers).

Q. One for the captain. How different does it feel coming into this week as the reigning champions?

CAPTAIN FILIPPO VOLANDRI: Well, it's quite different from last year, but we are more focused on the goal. We are more confident. Actually, the condition are not the same, but as in Italy, we have great players, and they get used to play in different condition very, very soon than what they did already.

And nothing. Have been proud about the team. As I said, is quite different condition, but ready to do it.

Q. One for the captain. Obviously Jannik is still going to arrive. He's had a very long year. Just wondering, how ready do you think he is? How much left in the tank do you think he will have for this?

CAPTAIN FILIPPO VOLANDRI: Yeah, as we saw in the last weeks, he looks quite ready (smiling). Actually, last year he had maybe a longer year. He came from the ATP Finals and he did an unbelievable job in Davis Cup. I think it was an even longer week comparing from this year. So he's ready.

Q. A question for Matteo. Obviously you guys are focused on your tie, but there is that big thing happening here with the Rafa posters all around the city and Rafa potentially playing his last match today. Can you share with us, if you don't mind, a favorite Rafa memory for you personally?

MATTEO BERRETTINI: Yeah, there are so many that it's tough. I have probably a favorite memory when I was watching him playing and cheering for him, which was -- you guys have to help me -- 2005 or '06 in Rome when he played against Coria, like, the longest match that I ever saw on TV.

I remember that I watched -- normally in this channel they will show cartoons, and I wanted to see cartoons, and the match was so long, I was, like, I want this match to be over (smiling).

Then probably when I played against him in US Open semifinal was, you know, the nicest memory. Obviously I lost the match, but, you know, playing against him in one of the biggest stages in tennis is something I'm going to take with me in the years.

Q. For the captain, what can you say about the match against Argentina? How's your team? How do you see Argentina?

CAPTAIN FILIPPO VOLANDRI: As we understood in the recent past, we always take care about everybody. Davis Cup is kind of another sport while the rankings doesn't count. We really know about this, so we are trying to get ready as much as we can.

It's going to be a really tough one. We are in the Final 8, so every match is really tough, but starting from us, we are ready. Yeah, we are looking forward to start.