Pietrangeli tackles Berrettini again: "Long live tennis, long live Sinner and long live Matteo, otherwise he'll take it out on me".
Italy won the Davis Cup last week. The Squadra Azzurra triumphed for the second time in a row in the competition, a first since the Czech Republic in 2012 and 2013.
Filippo Volandri's squad was buoyed by a relentless Jannik Sinner, while Matteo Berrettini won both his singles matches in the semi-finals against Australia and then in the final against the Netherlands.
On the other hand, Berrettini's performances are not necessarily universally appreciated.
A few days ago, 91-year-old Nicola Pietrangeli criticized the 28-year-old's matches, saying he hadn't beaten any big names (Berrettini had beaten Kokkinakis and van de Zandschulp).
As a guest on Splendida Cornice, Pietrangeli praised Sinner, but also took another swipe at the 2021 Wimbledon finalist.
"I wanted to say that Sinner is the best Italian tennis player of all time. Personally, I used to love the sport, but compared to these players today, I'm an amateur.
Long live tennis, long live Sinner and let's get Berrettini in there because otherwise he'll come after me," he assured.
Struggles with injuries and lack of money: the double punishment for tennis players far from the Top 100 stars 
Tennis, Saudi Arabia’s new playground 
The outfit wars: how clothing contracts dominate the tennis business 
The impact of the war on tennis in Ukraine: financial aid, foundations, governing bodies and all‑round headaches 
