Matteo Berrettini: “Mentally I wasn’t ready to face the challenge”
On the sidelines of the Davis Cup final tournament in Malaga, Matteo Berrettini commented on his plague year on the tour and is optimistic about his comeback at the Australian Open in 2024.
by Dietmar Kaspar
last edit:
Nov 23, 2023, 11:53 am
Matteo Berrettini has already ended his sporting season. Due to numerous injuries, most recently a torn ankle ligament, the Italian played his last match at the US Open, where he had to retire in the second round against Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech. The 27-year-old also announced his separation from his long-term coach Vincenzo Santopadre shortly after the official end of his playing year.
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Nevertheless, the Roman insists on supporting the Italian team in the box as a “noble fan” at the Final 8 tournament of the Davis Cup in Malaga. A welcome change from soul searching alone during the lonely hours during his numerous rehab phases this season.
Describing the psychological hurdles he had to overcome to rehabilitate his injured ankle, he commented: “There are many reasons why I was really sad. First of all, because I couldn’t do what I like to do.”
Due to the numerous injuries, it was particularly difficult for the former Wimbledon finalist to accept the process of returning: “This time it was particularly difficult for me to see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. If I felt something on my body, I was in big trouble. Mentally I wasn’t ready to take on the challenge.”
The current world number 90 sees patience. a decisive factor: “I needed time to process the challenge and find the right attitude to tackle the work. It was just very important to me to stop, think a little and take my time, because body and mind belong together.”
After this period of suffering, Berrettini feels ready to attack again and is targeting the Australian Open 2024 for his comeback. For now, the former world number 6 will throw everything into the ring in Malaga to support the Italian team as intensively as possible in the fight for the title. Can be seen in the free live stream on ServusTV On.