Matteo Berrettini, born on April 12, 1996, in the bustling and gloriously ancient city of Rome, might well have spent his days wandering among ruins or cheering for his beloved AC Fiorentina. Instead, he decided to wield a tennis racket with the kind of power that makes mere mortals blink and mutter, “Surely that’s not legal.” Encouraged by his younger brother, Jacopo, who had the audacity to pick up a racket first, Matteo took to the sport like a Roman emperor takes to issuing proclamations—decisively and with great flair. He dabbled in swimming and judo, too, because, well, why not, but tennis clearly had his heart.
Known as "The Hammer" for a serve that might well be registered as a lethal weapon in some jurisdictions, Matteo smashed his way into history by becoming the first Italian man to reach the Wimbledon final in 2021. With a forehand that could probably part seas if required and a personality as warm and sunny as the Italian Riviera, Matteo is living proof that greatness can come from equal parts muscle, determination and pasta. Kids love him because he shows them that you can be strong and kind, powerful and humble—and, perhaps most importantly, that hard work (and a bit of good aim) can turn a simple racket into a ticket to stardom.
Known as "The Hammer" for a serve that might well be registered as a lethal weapon in some jurisdictions, Matteo smashed his way into history by becoming the first Italian man to reach the Wimbledon final in 2021. With a forehand that could probably part seas if required and a personality as warm and sunny as the Italian Riviera, Matteo is living proof that greatness can come from equal parts muscle, determination and pasta. Kids love him because he shows them that you can be strong and kind, powerful and humble—and, perhaps most importantly, that hard work (and a bit of good aim) can turn a simple racket into a ticket to stardom.
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