Matteo Berrettini shares his favorite memory of Rafael Nadal which happened almost 20 years ago

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Matteo Berrettini recalled his favourite moments with Rafael Nadal after the Spaniard’s retirement.

In October the former World number one announced that he would hang up his racket after representing Spain in the Davis Cup finals.

But Nadal’s campaign in Malaga is over before Berrettini and Italy’s quarter-final tie against Argentina has even commenced.

Spain were defeated 2-1 by the Netherlands and in the process the Dutch team reached their first Davis Cup semi-final since 2001.

What are Matteo Berrettini’s favourite memories of Rafael Nadal?

Matteo Berrettini began his ATP Tour career while Nadal was still playing at a high level and winning Grand Slam titles.

The pair have shared the court together both as rivals in Grand Slam events, and have been teammates at the Laver Cup.

But the Italian’s fondest memory of Nadal came when he watched Nadal defeat Guillermo Coria in a thrilling Italian Open final in 2005.

“I have probably a favourite memory when I was watching him playing and cheering for him, which was — you guys have to help me — 2005 or ’06 in Rome when he played against Coria, like, the longest match that I ever saw on TV,” he told reporters ahead of Italy Davis Cup quarter-final.

“I remember that I watched — normally in this channel they will show cartoons, and I wanted to see cartoons, and the match was so long, I was, like, I want this match to be over.”

Did Matteo Berrettini defeat Rafael Nadal during his career?

Berrettini played Nadal on just two occasions during his career, and both came on the big stage.

In 2019 the pair met for the first time in the US Open semi-finals, which Nadal won in straight sets before going to win his fourth and final title at Flushing Meadows.

Their last meeting came three years later at the 2022 Australian Open, once again in the last four.

Berrettini claimed a set on this occasion, but Nadal prevailed 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-3, before going on to claim his second title at Melbourne Park in thrilling fashion.

Recalling his first match against Nadal in New York, Berrettini said: “When I played against him in the US Open semifinal was, you know, the nicest memory.

“Obviously I lost the match, but, you know, playing against him in one of the biggest stages in tennis is something I’m going to take with me in the years.”