‘Is this live?’: Affair rumours explode after incredible interview
Matteo Berrettini has added fuel to rumours he and fellow Italian tennis star Lorenzo Musetti have fallen out over a betrayal involving the world No.26 and Berrettini’s ex-girlfriend.
Berrettini was put under the spotlight after his first-round straight-sets win over Tomas Martin Etcheverry at the Vienna Open on Tuesday (AEDT), when he was asked in his on-court interview about his Italian teammate’s recent tournament victory in Lyon.
Matteo Berrettini was caught in an uncomfortable situation during a post-match interview. Tennis TV
The interview followed persistent rumours of tension between the Davis Cup teammates after Berrettini ended his relationship with girlfriend Vanessa Bellini midway through this year. Musetti split with his partner Veronica Confalonieri - with whom he shares two children - that same week.
Neither player has commented directly about their respective relationship breakdowns, nor have the pair acknowledged the rumours about a possible affair.
Berrettini has, however, unfollowed Musetti on Instagram. The pair were formerly close friends.
In an interview on Tuesday morning (AEDT), Berrettini was unable to hide his discomfort on the court when asked if Musetti’s title win in Lyon provided him with inspiration, briefly pausing before asking “ah, is this live?”
After learning the interview was indeed being broadcast live, Berrettini paused to consider his answer.
“Oh OK, it’s OK,” he said with an awkward smile on his face before laughing.
Berrettini continued: “I know he has worked really hard to come back. I guess he deserved it.”
Berrettini immediately wrapped up the interview after that comment, moving away from the interviewer and returning to his player bench to leave the arena.
But his diplomatic response did not go unnoticed by fans, who believed Berrettini’s initial hesitation all but confirmed the rumours to be true.
To add fuel to the fire, shortly after the interview it was confirmed that Berrettini had been left out of Italy’s Davis Cup team that will face South Korea next month.
Musetti was one of the selected players for the team captained by Filippo Volandri, along with Flavio Cobolli, Luciano Darderi, Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori.
(L-R) Matteo Berrettini and Lorenzo Musetti seen at the Davis Cup in 2024. Antonietta Baldassarre/Insidefoto/Mondadori Portfolio
A reason for Berrettini’s absence from a team that has recently dominated men’s tennis was not given.
It should be noted, however, that Berrettini’s world ranking (48) is lower than all of the other singles players named in the team. A Wimbledon finalist and former world No.6, Berrettini has struggled to get back to his best after several serious injuries disrupted his career.
Italian world No.1 Jannik Sinner was also not named in the team due to a right knee injury.
Berrettini will instead focus on his second round match at the Vienna Open, with his opponent yet to be confirmed.
