On a cool November evening in Italy, Matteo Berrettini walked off the court with a familiar fire in his eyes. His victory over Austria’s Jurij Rodionov wasn’t just another win to place in the record books. It was something deeper - something that touched parts of him untouched by rankings, titles, or statistics. This one meant home, pride, and purpose.

With Jannik Sinner’s absence from the 2025 Davis Cup Finals, all hopes now lie in the hands of players like Berrettini and Flavio Cobolli. The injury-prone 29-year-old Italian star rattled off three games, saving three set points to draw level at 5-5 before going on to win the tie-break and put Italy ahead in the tie. After defeating Rodionov by 6-3, 7-6(4), Berrettini spoke about what this win means to him and why this tournament is so special to him.

“The Davis Cup has always been so important. I understood throughout my career that living these kinds of feelings and emotions and atmosphere is really what makes me feel alive when I do this sport. I personally find the best feelings when I play. I'm not talking about my game, but the proudness of the team effort, the chemistry that you build with your teammates,” said Matteo Berrettini in his post-match interview.

If we take a look back, the journey hasn’t been easy for the 2021 Wimbledon finalist in the last couple of years. He has struggled a lot with injuries and a lack of form. Even earlier this year, he suffered an injury that forced him to stay out of action for several months. During this time period, some of the fans even questioned whether he could be forced into an early retirement, as he missed his seventh Grand Slam since 2022.

But his recent win in the Davis Cup Finals has now added an extra bit of motivation and also confidence. Matteo Berrettini further added, “It's so important and helps me so much, especially in the last two years when I was struggling a little bit. Sometimes I was struggling to find the right motivations to come back. Davis Cup was one of them. I'm so glad that I pushed through, and now I'm here enjoying this time.”

For Berrettini, the Davis Cup is more than a competition - it’s a reminder of why he chose tennis in the first place. The pressure is different, the stakes feel bigger, and the emotions run deeper. But above all, it gives him something the ATP Tour rarely does. 

“When you sing the national anthem, you're there with your teammates. I always think about when I was a kid and I was watching them on TV singing. I was like, ‘One day it would be good to be there.’ That's why I think it's special to just believe in your dreams and keep working, because sometimes it's happening. When it happens, you have to appreciate that,” said Matteo Berrettini.

After giving a good start to his nation in the competition, all Berrettini now wants is to enjoy this competition to the fullest. He was really emotional after the match, and he looked happy with his performance in this match. But what did his other teammates say after getting a winning start in this iconic team event?

Flavio Cobolli joins Matteo Berrettini to relive the emotion behind Italy’s incredible win at the Davis Cup

As the noise finally started to fade at Bologna, two Italians walked back toward the locker room with the kind of weary smiles that only come after a battle well-fought. After Matteo Berrettini’s incredible win over Rodionov, even Flavio Cobolli secured a dominating win (6-1, 6-3) against Filip Misolic. 

For Berrettini, this win meant something deeper than just a point on the scoreboard. For Cobolli, it was an unforgettable moment. With these wins, Italy has now moved a step closer to becoming the first nation to win three consecutive titles in 53 years.

Speaking about this incredible moment, Cobolli said, “It’s definitely the best day of my life. I’ve always dreamed of wearing this jersey and playing for Italy, for the lads over there (his teammates), my family, and my team.”

With this victory over Austria, Italy not only advances but does so with a powerful statement: they have depth, unity, and a renewed spark. Berrettini seems reborn, and Cobolli is emerging fast, and together they are breathing life into Italian hopes once again.
The 23-year-old Italian further echoes his teammate’s sentiments in his post-match interview, saying, “We all want to win this cup, and I felt the support of the bench,, it was unbelievable.” Do you think Sinner-less Team Italy can find success for the third time in a row with the help of players like Matteo Berrettini, Flavio Cobolli, and others?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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Edited by

Shrabana Sengupta