In recent years, every single match involving an Italian tennis player at the US Open has been accompanied by a very distinctive sound. Not just ordinary cheering, but the loud, passionate voice of a fan who supports them from the first point to the last. You probably won’t see him courtside at Jannik Sinner’s matches – as the world #1 prefers to keep his box private – but for most other Italians, he’s always there. His name is Giovanni Bartocci, and some may remember him from the Covid edition of the tournament, when his support for Matteo Berrettini made international headlines.
With spectators barred from the grounds due to the pandemic, Bartocci stood just outside Court 17, armed with a megaphone and an endless supply of enthusiasm. His presence was impossible to ignore. Not only did Berrettini thank him in his post-match interview, but newspapers around the world—including The New York Times—wrote about the die-hard fan.
Via della Pace: A Players’ Lounge Away from Home
Bartocci is a tennis enthusiast, but he is also the co-owner of an Italian restaurant in the East Village called Via della Pace. For years, it has been the go-to place where Italian players gather during the US Open to feel at home. Lorenzo Musetti even mentioned it in a post-match interview when asked about “a loud fan” in his box:
“He’s definitely not quiet, but he’s really a huge fan of tennis. And of course when we come here, we always go to his restaurant. It’s a special place for all the Italians—it’s a second home abroad.”
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Between Italy and the United States lies an ocean, yet Italian players rarely feel as comfortable as they do in New York during the tournament. Matteo Arnaldi also spoke about Via della Pace:
“I always go there. I went for the first time in 2022, and when I reached the fourth round in 2023, I went there every day,” he told ATPTour.com. “Usually I go with my team, but it’s like a players’ lounge. There are so many Italians—we basically all have dinner together.”
Privacy, Food—and No Air Conditioning
Arnaldi isn’t exaggerating. The restaurant has indeed a private room reserved exclusively for Italian players and their teams. Food and privacy are key factors, but the real secret is the absence of air conditioning.
“It’s room temperature. Like all Italians, the main fear when going to American restaurants is the air conditioning. Since they want to avoid even the slightest cold, they come here, relax, and chat,” Bartocci explained in a podcast (translation by Google).
Via della Pace has become something of an unofficial embassy for Italian sport in New York during the US Open. So it was no surprise that Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori celebrated their mixed doubles title there, joined by Jasmine Paolini. And the hope is that at the end of these two weeks, there will be another, even bigger, title to celebrate in that small corner of Italy.
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Main photo credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
