‘It gives me goosebumps’ – Berrettini defends Queen’s crown

The Italian is looking in good form ahead of Wimbledon

Italy’s Matteo Berrettini reacts during his final match against Serbia’s Filip Krajinovic (AI/Reuters/Panoramic)

June 19, 2022

Matteo Berrettini successfully defended his Queen’s title, beating Filip Krajinovic in the final, 7-5, 6-4.

The world No 10 is the first player in the Open Era to win titles in both his first two Queen’s appearances, and is the eighth man to win consecutive titles there.

And it follows his triumph in Stuttgart last week – his first tournament back following an operation on his right hand.

“The last thing I expected was coming back from surgery and winning two titles in a row, defending my title here, one of the most prestigious tournaments there is,” said an emotional Berrettini afterwards. “I cannot believe it.

“Every time I walk in these hallways – it’s tricky here, I get lost – I see all the names, the champions from the past and present. Knowing it will be me, twice, on the same wall, it gives me goosebumps.”

Krajinovic was asked immediately afterwards how he felt about grass-court tennis – having secured the first tour-level wins on the surface of his entire career in London this week.

“Ha! That’s a good question. Just before this tournament, I’d never won a match on grass, I hated to play on grass, but this can change! Let’s see how it goes in the future – for sure I’m going to play here.”