"My mother was there": Berrettini recounts his emotional moment with the Olympic flame in Rome
Matteo Berrettini had long dreamed of representing his country in a way other than on a tennis court.
And this week, amidst the Roman cobblestones and applause, that dream became a reality.
Indeed, ahead of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, the 29-year-old player had the honor of carrying the Olympic flame.
"I am so moved! My mother was there, watching me run with the flame; it was magnificent," he says emotionally.
"The flame represents everything that lies behind sport"
But for Berrettini, this flame was not just a relay. It was a summary of two difficult seasons.
"It is an achievement that stems from all my successes. I am very proud," he explains.
Thus, the player saw in this gesture a recognition of everything he has contributed to Italian sport: his Wimbledon final, his key role in winning the 2024 Davis Cup, among others.
Because beyond tennis, Berrettini wanted to remind us of the very essence of sport. What goes unseen.
"The flame represents everything that lies behind sport. It is a symbol of inclusion, of unity. Sport is about unity and sacrifice, victories and defeats, but it is much more than that."
So, he experienced this moment as a tribute to all athletes, to all disciplines.
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