Did Matteo Berrettini Just End a 13-Year Partnership with His Coach?

Oh no he didn’t! Oh yes, he did. Matteo Berrettini, Italy’s most charming export since espresso and Ferraris, has officially parted ways with his longtime coach, Vincenzo Santopadre. Thirteen years together—that’s longer than most Hollywood marriages and at least twice as functional! But alas, the bromance is over, and fans are clutching their pearls.

This isn’t just a breakup. It’s the end of an era. Santopadre and Berrettini were tennis’s dynamic duo, like Batman and Robin—if Robin also happened to remind you of a young Mediterranean Adonis. They’ve been through it all: grand slam highs, injury lows, and probably hundreds of shared pasta dinners. But now, it seems the racquet romance is toast.

Matteo announced the split with the kind of emotion usually reserved for Oscar speeches. He thanked Vincenzo “for everything,” adding that their journey had been “unforgettable.” Translation: “It’s not you, it’s my ranking.” Okay, maybe we’re reading into it, but come on—he’s dropped out of the Top 100, his abs are doing more work than his backhand, and something had to give.

Naturally, the rumor mill is churning. Did Matteo need a fresh perspective? Is he going full Thanos and starting from scratch? Or did Vincenzo simply say, “If you date one more supermodel instead of practicing volleys, I’m out”? Whatever the reason, fans are already speculating who’ll step into the now-vacant coach’s chair. A fellow Italian? A grizzled clay-court veteran? A zen yogi to fix those abdominal woes?

What’s clear is this: Berrettini is shaking things up. He’s ready to rebuild—body, game, and entourage. And maybe (just maybe) he’s also preparing for that inevitable Netflix docuseries: Berrettini Unstrung: The Coachless Chronicles.

Still, let’s pour one out for Vincenzo. Thirteen years of court-side shouting, towel passing, and dodging flying racquets isn’t easy. His resume now includes crafting a Grand Slam finalist, and probably enduring more fashion advice than any man should.

Matteo, on the other hand, is at a crossroads. Will a new coach unlock his inner beast, or is this just the start of a tennis midlife crisis? One thing’s for sure—wherever this Italian stallion goes next, cameras (and Instagram fans) will be watching.