Matteo Berrettini reveals ‘special’ Wimbledon connection
Matteo Berrettini has spoken about his resurgence at Wimbledon, after setting up a blockbuster clash with ‘special’ world No.1 Carlos Alcaraz.
Berrettini reached the Wimbledon final in 2021, but has faced a difficult couple of years since due to injuries.
The Italian has only played 19 matches this year, with an abdominal injury keeping him out of action and caused him to withdraw from Roland Garros.
He only played one lead-up match to Wimbledon on the grass of Stuttgart, where he left the court in tears following a straight sets defeat to his compatriot Lorenzo Sonego.
However, the 27-year-old has since managed to get revenge over Sonego in his first round match at SW19, followed by victories over Alex de Minaur and Alexander Zverev to reach the second week of Wimbledon once again.
Magnifico 🤌
Matteo Berrettini blasts his way into the fourth round defeating No.19 seed Alexander Zverev in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6(4), 7-6(5) 🔥#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/WaGQ9XLMZ9
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 8, 2023
Berrettini was forced to miss the tournament last year due to contracting Covid-19, and spoke about the journey he has been on, “It feels unbelievable. Something I didn’t think could happen. I didn’t play much this year. It must be something special about this place. Last year I missed it. I still didn’t heal from that withdrawal. This tournament changed my life”
He continued, “I wasn’t sure if I was going to play. I flew here and said maybe the atmosphere going to help me. To play a Slam, you have to be ready physically, emotionally, mentally. There are many things. The will is not enough.
“I’ve missed too many events in the last few years. I couldn’t leave this place without trying. This place has something special. I feel a kind of energy I don’t feel anywhere else.”
It will not get any easier for Berrettini, who will play the top seed Alcaraz tomorrow, but the No.38 was very complimentary towards his opponent.
“I don’t think I have to say anything about Carlos,” said Berrettini. “He’s showing who he is. The first time I played him two years ago I felt this kid is special.”
Matteo Berrettini vs Carlos Alcaraz head-to-head
As Berrettini gears up to play the US Open champion, we at Tennishead wanted to review their head-to-head so far that features no previous grass court meetings.
Berrettini vs Alcaraz: 1-2
- Alcaraz beat Berrettini, 6-1 6(2)-7 7-6(5) (Vienna 2021)
- Berrettini beat Alcaraz, 6-2 7-6(3) 4-6 2-6 7-6(5) (Australian Open 2022)
- Alcaraz beat Berrettini, 6-2 2-6 6-2 (Rio de Janeiro 2022)
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