“My mother was there watching”: Matteo Berrettini overwhelmed as he carries the Olympic flame through Rome ahead of Milano 2026

Matteo Berrettini experienced a moment he described as unforgettable as he carried the Olympic torch through the streets of Rome this week. The Italian star, who has spent much of the past two seasons dealing with injury setbacks, found himself at the centre of one of the most symbolic traditions in global sport. With the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics approaching, his participation came just one day after fellow Italian Jasmine Paolini completed the same honour.

The moment marked a personal milestone for the Rome-born player, who has always expressed strong pride in representing Italy—whether on the tennis court or in rare moments like this. He highlighted how deeply emotional the experience became as he saw familiar faces cheering from nearby. “I’m so excited. I don’t know exactly what happened; I still remember it very vividly. My mother was there watching me run with the flame; it was beautiful.”

For Berrettini, carrying the torch was not just an honour but also a recognition of the sporting journey that has shaped him. The past few seasons have tested him with injuries, comebacks, and difficult stretches, but the symbolic run provided a reminder of everything he has accomplished for his country. In his own words, it represented the culmination of achievements that have allowed him to remain a prominent ambassador for Italian sport.

“It’s an achievement that comes from the successes I’ve had. I’ve always watched the Olympic Games, and representing my country in this way is the best. I don’t know what to compare it to, but I’m very proud.”

Carrying the flame also brought a deeper reflection about the meaning of sport itself—a theme Berrettini has spoken about frequently throughout his career. “The torch represents everything behind sport—any kind of sport in the world,” he said. “It’s a symbol of inclusion. In short, everything that sport represents.”

For Berrettini, taking part in this tradition was about more than tennis or the Olympics; it was about celebrating the global community that sport builds. “I’m super proud to be able to do it here as well,” he added.

The former Wimbledon runner-up has been a more than worthy representative of Italy in international competitions, being a vital part of the team that took the Davis Cup trophy both in 2024 and this season—where his victories against Jurij Rodionov, Raphael Collignon, and Pablo Carreño Busta were vital in obtaining his country's third straight title.

Berrettini’s reflections on the role of sport in his life stretched far beyond competition. He spoke about how tennis has shaped his understanding of dedication, resilience, and personal growth. “Sport is unity and sacrifice, victories and defeats, but there is much more behind it. I’ve been lucky to practice a sport that has taught me so much about myself and the world.”

The 29-year-old highlighted how tennis has allowed him to discover perspectives and experiences he would never have encountered otherwise. Through travel and competition, he has learned from different cultures and built connections that have broadened his view of the world.

For Berrettini, these moments are just as essential as training, practice, and the physical preparation at the heart of elite performance. “It still gives me the opportunity to travel, to experience different cultures, and that’s something I don’t take for granted,” the former World No. 6 stated. “In my opinion, it’s very important. Sport is training and what you do to get there, but it’s also about sharing experiences and different cultures.”