“I lost against the best” Matteo Berrettini backs himself as a contender for Grand Slams following defeats in majors only to Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal since 2021


“I lost against the best” Matteo Berrettini backs himself as a contender for Grand Slams following defeats in majors only to Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal since 2021

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Matteo Berrettini

Since the start of the 2021 season, Matteo Berrettini has been one of the biggest obstacles on the court. The Italian has improved a lot and has made himself into an all-surface expert having made deep runs on all surfaces. As a result of his consistency, he has been a permanent member of the Top 10 for over two years now and has cemented his place.

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After making a semi-final run in the semi-finals of the 2022 Australian Open, Berrettini was expected to make a good haul during the Clay season as well as he won the title in the Tour event in Belgrade, finished runner-up in the Madrid Masters last year and a quarter-finalist at the 2021 French Open. But an arm injury forced him to miss the entire Golden Swing. As he gears up for the 2022 Wimbledon Championships, he gave a few details of his self-analysis going into the Grand Slam as the runner-up of last year’s Championships.

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“They have played these matches dozens of times”: Matteo Berrettini

Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic
Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic with their Grand Slams

Since the start of the 2021 season, Berrettini has been defeated in majors only by either Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal. After handing a walkover in the 2021 Australian Open, Berrettini lost to Djokovic in the quarter-finals of the 2021 French Open, the finals of the 2021 Wimbledon and the quarter-finals of the 2021 US Open. Barring the US Open, Djokovic won both the majors in France and Wimbledon. This year, at the 2022 Australian Open, Berrettini lost in the semi-finals to eventual champion Nadal.

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“I was close to winning one (Grand Slam). In 2021, I made quarters, semis, and finals. I lost against the best, Novak and Rafa, and they won the tournament behind. I wouldn’t say that what I miss is that they are no longer there, but not far away. I remain convinced that I can beat them. A question of details, sometimes a bit of luck, I can’t see myself far away. There is also experience: they have played these matches dozens of times, I haven’t yet,” said Berrettini speaking with L’Equipe.

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