Matteo Berrettini, the former Wimbledon finalist, has rediscovered his passion for tennis after a challenging year marked by illness and injury. The Italian star, who began his 2023 season in March, endured a two-month setback due to an illness that threatened to derail his progress. However, Berrettini persevered through the emotional turmoil and has emerged with a renewed sense of joy and purpose.
“I found the energy again. I found the joy of doing what I like to do, what I’m doing right now,” Berrettini told TENNIS.com. “That’s the most important thing, finding the joy about what you’re doing.”
Berrettini’s resilience is particularly poignant in light of the recent retirement of Dominic Thiem, a fellow member of his generation who has struggled with injuries and a loss of motivation. Berrettini expressed his admiration for Thiem’s decision to step away from the sport at the age of 31.
“I respect a lot about his decision because he felt like he’s not in the place that he wanted to be,” said Berrettini. “He steps away with my respect, and I think, the respect from the rest of the players.”
Despite falling outside the Top 150 earlier this year, Berrettini has climbed back into the Top 40 and has won three clay-court titles in 2023. While he acknowledges that his strengths lie in his play on grass, where he has won four titles, Berrettini is proud of his journey and the progress he has made.
“I think 18-year-old me would be really proud of the journey that we’ve been through,” said Berrettini. “I got my first ATP point at 19, my first ATP win at 22. I was kind of late but my journey was really nice. A lot of good things happened along the way.”
Berrettini is currently competing in the Vienna Open, where he is making his third appearance. He reached the semifinals in his debut five years ago, where he was defeated by Thiem.
