Matteo Berrettini has added some fuel to the already buzzing conversation in Italian tennis.
In a post-match interview following the ATP 500 Erste Bank Open in Vienna on Monday, the 30-year-old was asked if the recent Lyon Open victory by fellow Italian and “friend” Lorenzo Musetti inspired him in any way.
Instead of a straightforward answer, Berrettini hesitated, responding with, “Is it live?” before delivering a somewhat cautious reply.
With a few awkward pauses and chuckles, he said, “It’s okay… I know he worked really hard to come back and I guess he deserved it.”
After these comments, he walked away from the interview, which seemed a bit abrupt.
This apparent discomfort has sparked speculation about tensions between the two players, especially since Musetti, who clinched his first title since 2022, is rumored to have been involved with Berrettini’s ex-girlfriend, Italian dancer Vanessa Bellini.
Berrettini and Bellini split over the summer after dating for almost a year.
As of Wednesday, it appears Berrettini has unfollowed Musetti on Instagram, while Musetti continues to follow him. Musetti’s current girlfriend, Veronica Confalonieri, still follows him as well.
The couple has been together since 2022 and has two sons: two-year-old Ludovico and nearly one-year-old Leandro, born in November 2025.
Musetti recently shared photos of him and Confalonieri from their trip to Tokyo earlier this month.
Both players were part of the 2024 Davis Cup-winning team, but in 2025, Musetti opted out, while Berrettini added yet another tournament title to his resume.
This year, however, Berrettini was not selected for Italy’s Davis Cup team. Captain Filippo Volandri chose a roster that included Flavio Cobolli, Luciano Darderi, Andrea Vavassouri, Simone Bolelli, and Musetti.
Some people are wondering if Berrettini’s exclusion was influenced by the tension in their relationship, although Volandri insisted player selections were reliant on current rankings.
“The upcoming weeks leading to the new Davis Cup adventure are crucial for me,” he told Italian media, according to reports. “My staff and I will assess each player’s condition to finalize the best lineup.”
“We have a very strong team, thanks to a diverse roster of players, including Matteo Berrettini, Matteo Arnaldi, and Lorenzo Sonego, all key contributors in past seasons.”
Currently, Berrettini is ranked No. 48, while Musetti holds the No. 26 position.
The two could potentially face each other in the semifinals at the Vienna Open soon.
Berrettini has advanced to the Round of 16 and will go up against Cobolli on Thursday, while Musetti’s next match is against Arthur Fery after his surprising win over American Francis Tiafoe on Wednesday afternoon.
