Davis Cup Participation Goal Motivated Matteo Berrettini to Recover from Injuries: “It’s Always an Honor”

Matteo Berrettini, whose season has been marred by injuries, is all set to play the Davis Cup Finals. Italy, also the two-time defending champions, will start their campaign against Austria on November 19.

Italy will be without its two star players, Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti. The four-time Grand Slam champion, who recently defended his ATP Finals title, withdrew from the event as he needs an extra week off to start his pre-season early.

Musetto, who made his ATP Finals debut after playing non-stop tennis, has pulled out of the tournament, citing physical and family reasons. Most of the responsibility to steer Itay further in the prestigious event falls on the shoulders of Berrettini as well as Flavio Cobolli.

It’s always an honor for me to represent Italy in this competition. I used the opportunity to be here as motivation during my recovery from physical problems. I know every match will be tough; this is a ranking event, and anyone can surprise because emotions are running high, and there are always players who perform above expectations.

Matteo Berrettini said in the pre-tournament press conference

In 2023, Italy defeated Australia 2-0 to win its first Davis Cup title since 1976. It was also their second overall win, and they added another trophy when Italy beat the Netherlands in the final last year.

Berrettini has a 19-17 win-loss record this season and stands in the 56th spot on the rankings table. The former World No.6 last lifted a title at the Austrian Open Kitzbuhel last year. In the 2024 season, the 29-year-old played three finals, winning three trophies.

Matteo Berrettini on Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s dominance

In the pre-tournament press conference, Matteo Berrettini lauded Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz for the way they have been performing and dominating. Since 2024, Sinner and Alcaraz have featured in a combined 35 finals, winning 26 titles, including the last eight Grand Slam titles.

It was the six-time Grand Slam champion whom Sinner defeated in the title clash of the ATP Finals. This helped the 24-year-old improve his head-to-head record to 6-10.

Sinner and Alcaraz are making a huge impact now. Not just in Italy, but around the world. It was a major event, but a few years ago, it would have been unthinkable. Thanks to Jannik, number one. Actually, number two. But also thanks to us, there’s so much tennis to watch. People have become passionate about our stories… We are there watching Alcaraz and Sinner. And maybe beating them when the time comes.

Matteo Berrettini said

Berrettini has faced his compatriot twice, losing both. Against the Spaniard, the 2021 Wimbledon trails 1-3 in the head-to-head matchups. The World No.56 was last seen in action at the Moselle Open, where Learner Tien knocked him out in the quarterfinals.

Alcaraz wanted to play Davis Cup but has decided to withdraw from it because of his right hamstring injury. The 22-year-old injured his hamstring during the first set against Sinner in the ATP Finals.

This ends Alcaraz’s 2025 season. He lifted eight titles (including the French Open and the US Open) from 11 finals- the most on the men’s tour this year. Sinner took home six trophies from 10 finals, with his titles including the Australian Open and Wimbledon.

Four times this season, Sinner was defeated in the final by Alcaraz: at the Italian Open, French Open, Cincinnati Masters, and the US Open. Sinner started the ATP Finals as the World No.1 player, but despite his win, he will end the season as the No.2 player. Since he remained undefeated, Sinner, who is also on a 31-match winning streak on hardcourts, received $5.07 million as prize money.

Also read: Jannik Sinner Addresses Engagement Rumors With Girlfriend Laila Hasanovic After ATP Finals Win

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