Buoyant Mateo Berrettini doesn’t think he’s the Wimbledon favourite but promises fans that “I know I can do it”
In form Matteo Berrettini has admitted that he “aims to have a big tournament” at Wimbledon this month but the Italian has played down the favourite tag as Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal “are always there”.
The man from Rome followed up last week’s Stuttgart Open title with a second consecutive trophy at the Queen’s Club championships on Sunday, brushing aside Filip Krajinovic in straight sets to join John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, Boris Becker, Ivan Lendl, Lleyton Hewitt, Andy Roddick and Andy Murray as the only back-to-back title winners at the ATP 500 event.
His victory also meant that Berrettini became the first player in the Open Era to win titles in his first two appearances in London.
What makes these victories even more impressive is that Berrettini had spent nearly three full months on the sidelines after undergoing a hand operation after the Indian Wells Masters.
Now, with the 26-year-old being in great form and having finished runner-up to Djokovic at Wimbledon last year, many believe the Italian can go all the way this campaign.
Speaking about his title chances at SW19 this year, the world number 11 insists that he is not the favourite, but does back his ability to go deep in the tournament.
Matteo Berrettini told reporters in a recent interview, “I don’t know if I’m the favourite as Novak and Rafa (Nadal) are always there; Rafa has already won two Slams and no-one expected him to win in Australia.
“I don’t feel like I’m the favourite but I know I can do it, I can’t pull the wool over people’s eyes. My aim is to have a big tournament at Wimbledon and I hope it will be two intense weeks.
“After a really good week in Stuttgart it would have been easy to not exactly take my foot off the gas but let my problems overwhelm me.
“Instead I found the right energy levels and to win such a prestigious tournament is really very special.”
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