Matteo Renzi’s prediction at Wimbledon: “Berrettini can do it against Zverev”

Put a day at Wimbledon, from one Matteo to another. Matteo Berrettini, who wins his second round against Alex De Minaur in a London finally without rain (but today it will return…) and decidedly hot, conquering today a luxury third round against Sascha Zverev on court number 1.
And Matteo Renzi, the former premier, very passionate about tennis, who in 2015 flew to New York to enjoy the all-Italian final between Pennetta and Vinci (“Not a great match, but it wasn’t important, after we celebrated together in the locker room”) and who arrived on Center Court yesterday in time for Murray’s last two sets. The atmosphere was one of great events, even Renzi immortalized it with a video on his cell phone, deluded that Sir Andy was able to break it down, to accomplish the great feat. «It doesn’t happen, but if it happens…». It doesn’t happen, and the credit – or the fault – goes to a Tsitsipas in great shape. After the end of the match, there’s time for a chat, dodging politics for a day to focus on sport. «I love tennis, I’ve always played it, at the Aces in Florence, unfortunately after two straight days spent on the court I got heel pain, and I had to stop for six months. Now I’ve started again with the activity, I ran a marathon and it went well, the next goal is the triathlon».

Who is Matteo’s favorite champion made in Florence is perhaps superfluous: «For me the one of dreams has always been McEnroe. I’m a bit crazy like him, I like to provoke, play the drop… Between the forehand and the backhand, I have a better forehand: but both are poor».

Between Djokovic, Nadal, Murray and Federer the choice is simple: «Federer, of course, but now I’m passionate about our tennis players, who are doing well. Today I saw Sinner and then I came here, I’m sorry I missed Berrettini. In fact, now I’m calling Vincenzo…».

With coach Santopadre Renzi he trained in Rome, at the Foro Italico, «where I also dribbled with Raffaele Cirillo, ‘Ciro’, who unfortunately is no longer here», the call is friendly. «Hi Vincenzo, I’m in London, unfortunately I didn’t get to see Matteo, but they tell me here that he played very well. Compliment him, see you soon, a hug». After two rounds of crescendo, even Renzi agrees on Berrettini’s chances for tonight: «Zverev has it, which is feasible. Of course, then there would be Alcaraz… Anyway, I was here two years ago too, when Matteo reached the final. I always try to combine a business appointment in London during the two weeks of the Championships».

Tennis is like this, a contagious and benign disease that affects everyone, Wimbledon is a magnet that also pushes you to hit and run transfers (“I’m going back to Florence tonight”) just to be there, just to enjoy the charm of a special place. The political Matteo doesn’t want to talk about Italian affairs, he avoids a couple of sly questions (“whether double-dealing to the right or left? A little on one side and a little on the other, like all incapable people… But in a double-dealing rarely”) and closes with a joke when we ask him for a prediction: is it easier for Sinner to win Wimbledon or for minister Santanchè to resign? “Good question. Let’s say that at the moment I’m more interested in Sinner than Santanchè”. At Wimbledon, it’s hard to blame him.