“Didn’t talk to anybody” – Berrettini on overcoming injury scare to win Shanghai opener

Italian Matteo Berrettini has fought battles against his body harder than the ones against the on-court opponents. He reached his peak in 2021, making quarter-finals of the French Open and US Open, and playing the Wimbledon final against Novak Djokovic.

Berrettini, however, has missed five Major tournaments since then, also ending the 2023 US Open after injuring his ankle mid-match in the second round.

In 2024 thus far, the former world No 6 has absented from four ATP Masters 1000 events and most recently came threateningly close to missing a fifth — Shanghai Masters. He was forced to abandon his Round of 16 match against Frenchman Arthur Fils at Japan Open in Tokyo a few days ago due to discomfort in his abdomen, the area that has troubled him in the past.

The 28-year-old, however, put the injury behind him and flew to Shanghai for the penultimate Masters 1000 tournament of the season and opened his campaign with a hard-fought win over Australian Christopher O’Connell on Thursday.

In the post-match interview, Berrettini talked about finding the courage to get back on court, with support from his team and family.

“One thing that I’ve been doing so far is I’m being really resilient, with the help from a lot of people, my team that is close to me in the bad moments, in the good moments,” he said.

There were a couple of days after Tokyo I didn’t talk to anybody.

I wasn’t really having a lot of fun but thanks to them and my family back home, everybody that is helping me. I found the energy again.”

In a press conference later, Berrettini measured the contribution of his fellow Italians, including Jannik Sinner who recently made the China Open final and is on 59-6 win-loss record for the season.

“I look after them,” he said. “I mean, I look for their results to get the energy to come back. I’m always supporting them in the last year in Davis Cup to get the energy to come back.

“Obviously what Jannik is doing is unbelievable. He proved yesterday once again how his level is so high. I take inspiration from that, and I think all Italians do, and that’s why we have so many players that are really good.”

Matteo Berrettini faces Holger Rune in Shanghai next

Matteo Berrettini’s best performance at the Shanghai Masters came in 2019, when he finished as a semi-finalist. This was notably his maiden main draw campaign and he didn’t compete here until this year.

“I like the conditions here,” the Italian added in his presser. “I know it’s been five years and, you know, different players, different situations.”

In the second round, he is up against a formidable opponent in the form of Holger Rune, the seed No 12 in Shanghai. He has clashed with Rune on the ATP Tour three times, with their head-to-head favoring the Dane at 2-1.

“Holger played well last week, so it’s always a tough match against him. We played in Cincinnati a few months ago. I expect a tough one, but at the same time I have the confidence to step up on court and win the match.”

Rune comes into the ATP Masters 1000 event after a run to the semis at Japan Open and has received a bye in the first round in Shanghai.

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