Matteo Berrettini bows down to Novak Djokovic admiring the Serb for the qualities that leave him SPEECHLESS
Novak Djokovic showered praise by Matteo Berrettini for his skills apart from the technical aspect of his ga s the Serb continues to dominate the Tour.
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Novak Djokovic and Matteo Berrettini (Credits: Eurosport)
Novak Djokovic is the only remaining Big-3 member active this season. Roger Federer bid adieu to the sport at the 2022 Laver Cup as his knee could not recover for full-season fitness. Rafael Nadal did start the 2023 season but an untimely injury at the 2023 Australian Open kept him on the sidelines.
Nadal had to eventually end the season prematurely missing the 2023 French Open. This will be the first time he misses the Roland Garros ever since his debut. As Djokovic continues to represent the Big-3, the Serb was the recipient of special praise from Italian heartthrob Matteo Berrettini.
Berrettini, runner-up to Djokovic at the 2021 Wimbledon, did not hold any grudge while commending the Serb. The Italian highlighted the best part of Djokovic’s game but paid special attention to his personality than his skill level in tennis.
“Of course, the results and the records he achieves are impressive but what really leaves me speechless is his desire to always get back into the game. After all the goals he has achieved, he still has one. more in sight. This inner fire is impressive,” said Berrettini speaking on the BSMT Podcast.
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Novak Djokovic reigns supreme over Matteo Berrettini in head-to-head
Novak Djokovic has been a big pain in the backside of Matteo Berrettini so far. Despite the Italian being in one of his career purple patches, he still suffered against the Serb. The duo clashed for the first time in the 2019 ATP Finals where the Serb won in straight-sets. They next met in the quarter-finals of the 2021 French Open where Djokovic won in four sets. The Serb would go on to win the title eventually.
Their next meeting was in the Wimbledon finals a month later with Djokovic winning once again in four sets. Their fourth meeting was the quarter-final at the 2021 US Open with Berrettini ending up on the losing side yet again with a four-set defeat. The duo played in back-to-back Majors all going the 22-time Major winner’s way. Djokovic leads the head-to-head 4-0 holding a commanding lead.
Despite the heart-wrenching defeats, Berrettini continues to show respect to the former World No. 1. With the younger generations often showing ‘boldness’ in comparing themselves to the Big-3, it feels to see one of them giving respect where it is due. While Djokovic would have liked to thank the Italian, it can be done only through a call as Berrettini’s injury keeps him out of the 2023 French Open where the Serb is now a heavy favorite.
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Sarthak Shitole
(3462 Articles Published)