Berrettini wants to make a big showing at Wimbledon next month
Matteo Berrettini returned to compete on the major circuit after a two-month absence and immediately made his mark with a super victory: the Italian defeated Roman Safiullin (in the quarters last year at Wimbledon) on the grass of the Atp 250 in Stuttgart at the end of a three-hour battle.
The Italian by no means lost confidence with his serve (27 aces recorded throughout the match) and his ability to play the important points in the decisive moments of a match: these are the two aspects that made the difference, despite the tiredness felt as the minutes passed from the end of the second set.
Matteo Berrettini is back on the tennis court
Matteo Berrettini, former world No. 6, spoke on court to Atp Tour microphones, “I spent all the energy I had, it was the first match after two months and I was hoping for something easier,” was the first comment released by ‘The Hammer,’ who emphasized how he spent so much to win this first round match.
“I’m proud of the way I fought, I didn’t play my best tennis-wise but it’s never easy after such a long stop. I stayed focused and enjoyed myself,” he added. Berrettini then highlighted the importance of Wednesday’s match day, in which he is not expected to take the court to play the match valid for the round of 16: “I hope not to have to play tomorrow.
Now it will be crucial to rest, my physio did a great job and I want to be ready: the first one is done, now let’s hope for the second one. I love playing in front of you guys. The support you give me is incredible, it feels like being in Italy.
Everyone smiled at me and everyone stopped me: in 2019 I won this tournament for the first time and I already had a lot of support. I really thank you so much,” he concluded, paying tribute to the fans in the stands. In a long interview with Esquire, Berrettini reveals his on-court ritual: “That’s the one that my mum got for me a long time ago, and since I started playing professional I always put it on. When I get on court, I take it out and I put it on the bench, and that’s my ritual.”