Italian World No.24 Matteo Berrettini opened up on the incredible record of Rafael Nadal when asked questions about Roland Garros in a recent video. He also talked about the differences between the French Open and Australian Open, based on climate as well as atmosphere. Berrettini is yet to play a match since his first-round loss to British veteran Andy Murray in the Australian Open 2023.
As the Italian said: “When I think of Roland-Garros, I always think of Rafael Nadal because he won 84 of them (laughs) and it’s very difficult not to think of him. It’s a bit moodier and a bit darker than Australia and the weather is also cooler. But it’s a Grand Slam.”
Berrettini then talked about the Australian Open atmosphere, “The Australian Open? They call it the “Happy Slam”, I would call it energetic and sunny because it’s always sunny and warm and because people are passionate about tennis. There is a beautiful, clean, and healthy energy.” (source: We love Tennis, translated via google)
Matteo Berrettini is going through a rough patch
The Italian is going through a dark period in his career. Matteo Berrettini had a tough 2022 season where the Covid 19 virus stopped his run in a much-anticipated grass court season. Having won two grass titles in Stuttgart and the Queen’s Club, the Italian was expected to run deep into the draw at Wimbledon. However, the Covid virus caught up with him and he withdrew from Wimbledon. He was finalist at Wimbledon the previous year when he lost in four sets to Novak Djokovic.
Prior to the grass court season, his Australian Open 2022 campaign ended in the semi-finals at the hands of Rafael Nadal in four sets. He also had to skip the clay court swing due to a right-hand injury. At the US Open, he was not able to stop the Norwegian World No.3 Casper Ruud in the quarter-finals.
The Italian also had a breakup with fellow tennis star Ajla Tomljanovic in his personal life this year. His win-loss record this season is 32-12 with no titles in hardcourt and clay court seasons. He was also not able to reach even an ATP-1000 Masters quarter-final last year. This year, his first Major ended at the hands of Andy Murray in the first round. He was ranked his career highest number 6 last year but now has fallen down to 24.
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