The clock after becoming the first Italian to reach the final at Wimbledon on Friday, Matteo Berretti had not gained his emotional grip.
But seventh seed control its nerves with experts when and where it is important – in court against the 25-year-old Hubert Hurkacz must transfer the enthusiasm of his opponent in set three to order a ticket for the final Sunday even though he said he had never doubted his chances.
“Everything is in all places,” Berretti said to reporters after 6-3 6-0 6-7 (3) 6-4 victory.
“At the same time I thought I handled the situation quite well.” I stepped in court, I feel confident.
I know that I can win the match.
I think I played my best match so far.
So I was very happy for my appearance.
“Especially after the third set, everything is rather – I feel I can win that set, also win the match, but it doesn’t happen.
I say to myself, you play better than him, so stay like this and continue like this and continue like this and continue like this and Continue like this and you will win.
“He did play an amazing level in the first two sets, winning 11 matches directly against players who had beaten eight Wimbledon champions Roger Federer in his last match.
Berrettini said tennis was in his genes and he was very happy to have his family’s roots for him from the center of the Central Court during Friday’s match.
“That means everything.
Not only my parents, brother, one of my best friends,” he said.
“I started playing tennis with them …
with my brother, we still trained together.
He still played.” When we were children, we will vacation, we always bring our rackets.
We play many times, even without a ball, just pretending we play in a nice final living room.
We pretend to be the player I now play.
“That’s my family.
That’s our desire, I think.
Tennis is in my family.
Also my grandparents are still playing.
It was something we had in DNA, and it made me feel very good to have it here.” Friday’s victory made a study, a first Italian man to reach the main final since Adriano Panatta won open France 1976.
Berrettini said Panatta sent an SMS after a quarter-final victory against Canadian Felix Auger-Aliasce.
“We are related.
Sometimes he sent me a message,” Berrettini said.
“He is one of the first big names for us, maybe the biggest, who believes in me when I was little.” I remember we played with a double at the club where I used to practice.
It was a pleasant experience.
Only great advisor too …
what he sent to me, he told me, ‘Now you are here, go for it’.
That’s what I tried to do.
“