Matteo Berrettini is back at the Shanghai Masters for the first time in five years (Image: Getty)
Matteo Berrettini shared a heartwarming moment with his young mascot before taking to the court at the Shanghai Masters.
While waiting to step onto the main stadium, the Italian tennis star had a chat with the child who was ready to accompany him for the walk.
Berrettini could be heard trying to tell the girl how old he was before signalling to herm so she could understand.
Berrettini and had been made to wait to play their blockbuster second-round clash after the over the weekend. They were finally placed on the roofed show court to kick off Monday’s night session.
The players are often escorted onto the stadium with a young child who acts as their mascot. And the 2021 finalist made sure to introduce himself to the girl who would be joining him.
Behind-the-scenes cameras in the tunnel caught him giving his mascot a thumbs up before asking: “Hello, how are you? You good? Nice to meet you.”
Berrettini’s mascot informed him that she was seven years old. “You’re seven?” he added before she nodded.
A look into Berrettini’s adorable conversation with the mascot at the ??????
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He replied: “I’m a little bit older, I’m 28.” But she didn’t seem to understand, so the Italian used his hands to gesture a 20 and an eight before she got it.
On commentary, Barry Cowan noticed how seriously the girl was taking her role, as she stood facing straight ahead, ready to go, before Berrettini started speaking to her.
“Two contrasting mascots, one who is very serious at the front,” he said. That’s sweet.”
She seemed to be something of a good luck charm for the world No. 44, who took the first set over 12th seed Rune as he sought a big win.
Berrettini has struggled with injuries over the last couple of years. He shut down his 2023 season after he left the US Open in a wheelchair and only returned in March, reaching the final of his first tournament back at the Phoenix Challenger.
It’s been a mixed season ever since. The 28-year-old has lifted three tour-level titles but suffered a fresh setback in Tokyo last week, retiring from his second-round match.
After winning his opening match in Shanghai, Berrettini said: “When you’re not able to do your job and what you like to do, then it’s always a struggle, but, so I’m really appreciating every moment that I have to spend on court and to perform and give my best.
“I know it’s a process. I know, you know, like I did a great job this year to build up again my ranking, and I’m feeling good, so hopefully a great end of the season as well.”