At the end of a long ATP season, when nerves tend to be frayed and bodies are running on fumes, there’s nothing quite like having a friend to lean on when things get tough.
That’s exactly what Flavio Cobolli had in Matteo Berrettini on Thursday in Vienna, where a heartbreaking injury brought an emotional end to their second-round encounter.
With Cobolli’s mind racing as he no doubt contemplated the possibility of missing out on the ATP Finals after a breakthrough season that has seen him make his Top 10 debut and reach his first major final, Berrettini was there to offer comfort, perspective and a shoulder to lean on.
The pair sat courtside, Cobolli sobbing like a rushing river, Berrettini putting his arm around him and encouraging him not to think too far ahead.
Berrettini, a former world No.6 and Grand Slam finalist himself, is uniquely suited for shoulder-to-lean-on status. And he embraced his impromptu role without hesitation.
After the match, Berrettini spoke poignantly about his bond with Cobolli, recalling their childhood days in Rome and explaining the advice he offered his friend during Thursday’s difficult scene.
Here’s what Berrettini had to say about his friend:
On Cobolli’s injury and their emotional exchange:
“I’m so sorry for him. I’ve been there many times, maybe too many times. That’s why I got emotional. I know how tough it can be. I know how much he wants to be in Turin, and the last thing that you want is getting an injury a few weeks before. But hopefully it’s not going to be anything too serious.
“The idea today was just to come on court and celebrate the journey that we’re both having. From Rome, small kids that were playing tennis on the weekends.
“And I remember him, he was like this tall. And I remember the day he chose playing tennis over football. And I remember his eyes, the same eyes that he has right now. This little kid that was dreaming about playing on the best stages.
“And I think he deserves to be there, and I think he deserves the career that he’s having so far.
“So I wish him nothing but the best. I’m going to try to help him, as I’m around, in any way possible. I just told him to be in the moment, to not go too far ahead with his mind and thoughts. That’s what I was doing in the past, and it wasn’t really helping me.
“So one day at a time. I’m sure he has great doctors who are going to follow his recovery, and hopefully, hopefully he can make it in time.”
How Italians feel about qualifying for the ATP Finals in Turin:
“It’s a trophy, even just being there, you know, after a great season. It’s probably the thing that still hurts the most in my career, not being able to finish the round robin.
“I remember the energy of that place. I remember the proudness of qualifying and feeling my people in that place. But I feel the love of the people around the world, luckily, after that. So it’s maybe a bad memory, but still a good memory if I think about the effort that I put in to be there.
“Now, of course, we are full of Italian players. Of course, Jannik won it as well.
“Maybe one day I’ll come back, I don’t know. But I wish Flavio the best.”
Thursday’s scenes were difficult, but Friday brought hope, as Cobolli announced that his scans came out okay, and he’ll head to Paris to see if he can get fit in time to continue his season at the final Masters 1000 event of the season.
No matter what happens, he has lots to be proud of. Berrettini as well.
What a moment.
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