Playing Djokovic ‘Road To The Future’, Says Berrettini’s Coach
Matteo Berrettini’s coach, Vincenzo Santopadre, has warned Novak Djokovic that he has something up his sleeve to help the Italian defeat the men’s tennis world number one in their US Open quarter-final clash.
Djokovic and Berrettini will face off at a 2021 Grand Slam for the third consecutive time at Flushing Meadows (US Open), after Djokovic came out on top in the quarter-finals of Roland Garros and the Wimbledon final.
Djokovic, who is chasing a calendar Grand Slam and record 21st major title in New York, has a perfect 3-0 career record over world number eight Berrettini. However, Santopadre only sees positives from the encounter.
“Last Thursday we trained with Novak and tried a little something that could be useful, while trying to understand and study what can cause him most bother,” coach Vincenzo Santopadre said in an interview on Wednesday.
“Maybe I am deluding myself, but I am an optimist and I am very confident this time too. These are the matches Berrettini can take the most from, even if he loses. Playing the Serbian is a pleasure, it is the road to the future.”
“We already have something in mind for today. As the match goes on, more ideas come along. Matteo can win a Grand Slam, I will not budge from this conviction. I know that it would be an exceptional, historic feat, but it is not absurd,” Santopadre added.
Chidi Nwoke/Reuters.
