UNITED CUP

December 30, 2022

Vincenzo Santopadre

Lucia Bronzetti

Matteo Berrettini

Camila Rosatello

Team Italy

Press Conference

STEFANI-MATOS/Rosatello-Berrettini

6-4, 6-7, 10-4

Team Italy - 3

Team Brazil - 2

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations, Team Italy, on the win today. If you can start individually how the match went today and how happy you are for the win.

CAPTAIN SANTOPADRE: Of course I have to be happy because everybody made his best, and we won, too. That's the point. I think, like I said, we were trying to enjoy every single moment, and I think we did it. That's it.

I think we have to continue like this, because having fun, enjoying, being serious, of course, because we are here to play, to compete, and trying to win every point, but I think we have a strong team, we have a solid team, and we did a great job. I'm really happy and proud of these guys.

LUCIA BRONZETTI: I agree with the captain. I think that we enjoyed a lot, and of course we won, too, so it's better. But, yeah, I'm very happy with my match today, and also proud for the other guys.

MATTEO BERRETTINI: Yeah, what can I say? They already said everything. I think it was a nice two days of matches. The level was really high. They said we had fun. I didn't have fun when I lost in doubles with Camila (smiling).

But, yeah, it was nice, first time for me playing mixed doubles, so it was a new experience. We enjoyed a lot, actually. It's different but it's really nice. So looking forward to play maybe many more matches.

Yeah, happy for the win for the team.

CAMILA ROSATELLO: Yes, what can I say? They said everything, so I'm so happy about the team. We enjoyed a lot. I'm so proud to our team and also to myself that I play with Matteo, so it wasn't easy for me, but it was a really good day and, yeah, two really good days for Italy.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Matteo, I wanted to ask, I don't think you were originally on the schedule to play the mixed doubles at the start of the day, and yes, it was your first time playing mixed doubles. What was behind that decision to play it, and what are the unique things about playing mixed doubles, what did you find about the experience that, I don't know, you found interesting?

MATTEO BERRETTINI: No, the decision was made, was taken by the team, all together. Obviously the captain and everybody thought that that was the best team, you know, that we could play with. I thought the same as well.

I think mixed doubles, you have to kind of compensate each other, and I think with my serve and obviously with my game it would fit pretty well with Camila. We played against a strong team, so it wasn't easy, but the experience was really nice.

You know, it just different sometimes. When you play against two guys, you don't really think where you have to play. You just hit the ball. And, you know, when you are playing against a guy and a girl, sometimes, Oh, my God, I have to play -- it's a little bit more overthinking. But it was lots of fun. And I have to say the two girls played really, really well, and it was a high level of tennis.

Q. Can I ask about your upcoming game against Casper Ruud. You have had some really good matches against him. I think you have played him six times. He's the world No. 3. How much are you looking forward to that and how big a test will that be for you?

MATTEO BERRETTINI: Yeah, of course. Starting the season with such tough matches like this, I think it's really good for us. Obviously Casper, he's one of the best tennis players right now on tour. He had an unbelievable season reaching the finals in the ATP Finals as well.

I know him pretty well since a young age. I kind of like the matchup, you know. We always had great battles. But it's going to be the first time that I'm playing him for Italy, representing Italy. It's going to be different, going to have an extra motivation, and I'm pretty sure it's going to be a great match.

Q. What about your own game today? The big points, you won them, must be fairly pleasing for you coming into the next month where that's going to be even more important?

MATTEO BERRETTINI: Yeah, that's how I prepared the match today with my coach. I told him that to the conditions and everything, you know, I expected it to have a match like this, would be decided by few points.

That's what happened, you know. I know him. I know Thiago. He's a great player, lefty, tricky player. Yeah, I was ready in the important moments. Maybe in the second set I could have done more in the return games, but that's tennis. You have to be ready. It gives me a lot of confidence for the upcoming matches and the next month.

Q. Lucia, you played so well. The first set you blew your opponent away. Is that some of the best tennis you have played for yourself?

LUCIA BRONZETTI: Yeah, it was the first time for Italy, so I was in a lot of tension before the match, but I think that I tried to give my best and just to hit the ball strong and to try to be offensive, and it went really good. Yeah. I'm happy.