It’s been a long time since Italy had two male players in the Last 16 at The Championships — 65 years to be precise. So one thing is assured on Monday: hitting partners Matteo Berrettini and Lorenzo Sonego won’t be taking anything for granted.
While Berrettini maintains his strong position for a spot at the Nitto ATP Finals, Sonego is realistic about his chances as the Turin resident faces his childhood idol, eight-time former champion Roger Federer on Centre Court.
“It will be a tough match, because Roger has won a lot of titles on this surface,” Sonego told ATPTour.com. “He can play many different ways and can hit the ball and serve with slice. It’s really not easy, because he also has a lot of support at Wimbledon.”
While his debut on the sport's premier show-court may be a tough proposition, Sonego does have grass-court pedigree. The 26-year-old won his first ATP Tour title two years ago in Antalya (d. Kecmanovic) and finished as runner-up last week at the Viking International Eastbourne. Not bad for someone who has played just 16 tour-level matches on the surface.
“I like playing on grass because my serve works well on grass,” said Sonego, who had made two first-round exits at the All England Club in 2018 and 2019. “I like to attack the net and I return well, so I grow in confidence with every match.
“I have improved my backhand over the past couple of years and I now return better. Physically, I have gotten stronger and worked hard on my conditioning. It’s all helped me to improve my tennis. I like being on court, playing points, more than being in a gym.”
Sonego, an avid fan of the Golden State Warriors and NBA basketball point guard Stephen Curry, has certainly spent time off the court making the most of his love of music. Last month, Sonego collaborated with his childhood friend AlterEdo to produce a reggaeton track, ‘Un Solo Secondo’.
“I’ve enjoyed music for a long time, and I thought it was something fun,” said Sonego, who played football until the age of 13. “With my best friend, we worked on some raggaeton music [South American] to remember our time outside of tennis. We always sang a lot growing up, so to do something helped me not focus on tennis all the time. I like dancing and I listen to music all the time before matches.”
Over the past seven days in London, Sonego has made relatively smooth progress into the Wimbledon fourth round, with Daniel Elahi Galan of Colombia being his toughest opponent to overcome in the second round. In his past three matches in south-west London, the Italian has won 79 per cent of his first-service points and 43 of 48 service games.
Sonego's continual improvement has been reflected in his rise up the FedEx ATP Rankings — No. 303 in 2016, No. 213 in 2017, No. 108 in 2018, No. 52 in 2019 and No. 33 in 2020, which included victory over World No. 1 Novak Djokovic at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna. Add a run to the Internazionali BNL d'Italia semi-finals (l. to Djokovic) in May - that featured two Top 10 victories - to his list of strong performances in 2021 and Sonego is currently one spot off his career-high.
Three months ago, the World No. 27 also completed a rare title 'double' on the ATP Tour. With his coach, Gipo Arbino, whom he has worked with since taking up the sport at the age of 11, Sonego won both the singles and doubles titles at the Sardegna Open in Cagliari. It took him to a new level.
“I was ready for the week, I’d trained for the week, so I didn’t feel physically or mentally fatigued,” said Sonego, who beat Serbia’s Laslo Djere 2-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 in the singles final and partnered Andrea Vavassori to the team crown. “I was really happy to win on home soil, it’s always a different atmosphere. I played my best tennis, and it was an emotional moment for me.
“Nothing changed, I just began to work harder and gain more experience at tournaments. As I do feel the pressure of being seeded at some tournaments.”
View Schedule | Listen To Radio Wimbledon | List Of Broadcasters (PDF)
Should Berrettini and Sonego both reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals, it would be the first time that two Italian men have advanced to the last eight of a Grand Slam since 1973 Roland Garros (Adriano Panatta and Paolo Bertolucci).
If Sonego does beat Federer, then it will only improve his chances of fulfilling his dream. Ever since he heard that the ATP would move the Nitto ATP Finals to the Pala Alpitour in Turin, after 12 successful years of staging the season finale at The O2 in London, Sonego has worked harder than ever.
“To have the [Nitto] ATP Finals in my city is a dream, so my ultimate goal is to play in my home city and I will do all I can to qualify,” said Sonego, who is currently in 15th position for the elite eight-player event. ”Matteo is in a strong position and I've heard him talk a lot about the season-ending tournament. I'd love to be there."
While Berrettini maintains his strong position for a spot at the Nitto ATP Finals, Sonego is realistic about his chances as the Turin resident faces his childhood idol, eight-time former champion Roger Federer on Centre Court.
“It will be a tough match, because Roger has won a lot of titles on this surface,” Sonego told ATPTour.com. “He can play many different ways and can hit the ball and serve with slice. It’s really not easy, because he also has a lot of support at Wimbledon.”
While his debut on the sport's premier show-court may be a tough proposition, Sonego does have grass-court pedigree. The 26-year-old won his first ATP Tour title two years ago in Antalya (d. Kecmanovic) and finished as runner-up last week at the Viking International Eastbourne. Not bad for someone who has played just 16 tour-level matches on the surface.
“I like playing on grass because my serve works well on grass,” said Sonego, who had made two first-round exits at the All England Club in 2018 and 2019. “I like to attack the net and I return well, so I grow in confidence with every match.
“I have improved my backhand over the past couple of years and I now return better. Physically, I have gotten stronger and worked hard on my conditioning. It’s all helped me to improve my tennis. I like being on court, playing points, more than being in a gym.”
Sonego, an avid fan of the Golden State Warriors and NBA basketball point guard Stephen Curry, has certainly spent time off the court making the most of his love of music. Last month, Sonego collaborated with his childhood friend AlterEdo to produce a reggaeton track, ‘Un Solo Secondo’.
“I’ve enjoyed music for a long time, and I thought it was something fun,” said Sonego, who played football until the age of 13. “With my best friend, we worked on some raggaeton music [South American] to remember our time outside of tennis. We always sang a lot growing up, so to do something helped me not focus on tennis all the time. I like dancing and I listen to music all the time before matches.”
Over the past seven days in London, Sonego has made relatively smooth progress into the Wimbledon fourth round, with Daniel Elahi Galan of Colombia being his toughest opponent to overcome in the second round. In his past three matches in south-west London, the Italian has won 79 per cent of his first-service points and 43 of 48 service games.
Sonego's continual improvement has been reflected in his rise up the FedEx ATP Rankings — No. 303 in 2016, No. 213 in 2017, No. 108 in 2018, No. 52 in 2019 and No. 33 in 2020, which included victory over World No. 1 Novak Djokovic at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna. Add a run to the Internazionali BNL d'Italia semi-finals (l. to Djokovic) in May - that featured two Top 10 victories - to his list of strong performances in 2021 and Sonego is currently one spot off his career-high.
Three months ago, the World No. 27 also completed a rare title 'double' on the ATP Tour. With his coach, Gipo Arbino, whom he has worked with since taking up the sport at the age of 11, Sonego won both the singles and doubles titles at the Sardegna Open in Cagliari. It took him to a new level.
“I was ready for the week, I’d trained for the week, so I didn’t feel physically or mentally fatigued,” said Sonego, who beat Serbia’s Laslo Djere 2-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 in the singles final and partnered Andrea Vavassori to the team crown. “I was really happy to win on home soil, it’s always a different atmosphere. I played my best tennis, and it was an emotional moment for me.
“Nothing changed, I just began to work harder and gain more experience at tournaments. As I do feel the pressure of being seeded at some tournaments.”
View Schedule | Listen To Radio Wimbledon | List Of Broadcasters (PDF)
Should Berrettini and Sonego both reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals, it would be the first time that two Italian men have advanced to the last eight of a Grand Slam since 1973 Roland Garros (Adriano Panatta and Paolo Bertolucci).
If Sonego does beat Federer, then it will only improve his chances of fulfilling his dream. Ever since he heard that the ATP would move the Nitto ATP Finals to the Pala Alpitour in Turin, after 12 successful years of staging the season finale at The O2 in London, Sonego has worked harder than ever.
“To have the [Nitto] ATP Finals in my city is a dream, so my ultimate goal is to play in my home city and I will do all I can to qualify,” said Sonego, who is currently in 15th position for the elite eight-player event. ”Matteo is in a strong position and I've heard him talk a lot about the season-ending tournament. I'd love to be there."