“I know in my heart I want to play this tournament” – He’s lacking form, but Matteo Berrettini has the will to compete at Wimbledon

For a while he contemplated skipping Wimbledon altogether. But the man who missed Roland-Garros with yet another ab injury couldn’t stomach that option.

Berrettini, who skipped Wimbledon in 2022 due to Covid, has the potential to be an absolute beast on the grass – his 34-7 lifetime record on the surface with a Wimbledon final in 2021 is testament to that – but will his body ever let him fulfill his potential?

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Wimbledon: Berrettini makes second round after close battle with comaptriot Sonego

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So far so good this week, as Berrettini finished off compatriot Lorenzo Sonego in four sets on Thursday to set a second-round clash with Alex de Minaur. Not expecting anything crazy this week, the Italian says he’s just happy to have a win.

That’s understandable, given that he entered the Wimbledon draw having played one match since mid-April, a lopsided loss to Sonego on the Stuttgart grass.

“Coming back from an injury, it’s never easy, especially when you’ve maybe experienced the ‘worst’ period of your career results-wise,” he said. “Last year my coach is always telling me I spoiled myself with the fact that I came back after hand surgery and I won back-to-back titles on grass. I had a lot of expectations.”

Berrettini, who pulled out of Queen’s Club as he raced to get fit enough to play at Wimbledon, barely practiced in the lead up.

“I didn’t know if I was ready or not,” he said. “I didn’t practice much. I didn’t serve much. Like what you’re supposed to do before a tournament, before a Grand Slam… At the same time, my will of playing was bigger than my preparation. I was like ‘Okay, let’s see what I can do. I know in my heart I want to play this tournament, doesn’t matter the result.'”

After improving to 11-3 lifetime at Wimbledon on Day 4, Berrettini says he feels better than he thought he would.

“I actually felt really good on court physically,” he said. “That’s why I’m happy. Unless you try, you’re never going to know. Sometimes in the past I stopped before because I felt my body wasn’t ready. This time I kind of forced it a little bit. Now I’m feeling good. Was worth it.”

Berrettini BACK 💪@MattBerrettini defeats Sonego 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-6(7), 6-3!@Wimbledon | #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/4B5r4MYpiz

— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 6, 2023

One point at a time vs De Minaur

Berrettini knows he’ll be the underdog against the Aussie in the second round, but he doesn’t mind. He’s just happy to be giving it a go.

“I know it’s going to be a really tough match,” he said. “He’s seeded. I’m not. This year he got more wins than me. He’s feeling confident. I know that I have the tennis to beat him.

“I’m taking every day at a time, every point at a time. Right now it doesn’t seem real that I won the first match. There was a moment last week where I was like, ‘Okay, I’m not ready, maybe it’s better if I pull out. But then I push through.’

“Whatever happens, it’s going to be great for me. I’m feeling good. I’m feeling happy to be here. Yeah, that’s the most important thing.”

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