Matteo Berrettini arrived in Brisbane and stepped on the practice court! The Italian will start the new season at the ATP 250 event, joining Novak Djokovic, Grigor Dimitrov and others. Will anyone want to see Matteo as his opponent? Certainly not!
The former world no. 6 overcame injuries and setbacks, finishing the 2024 season with the Comeback Player of the Year award! The Italian embraced a 32-12 run in the season behind us, lifting three ATP titles and passing 120 rivals on the ATP list within eight months!
Thus, he earned an ATP award and gained a boost ahead of 2025, especially after lifting the Davis Cup crown in November in Malaga.
Buon Santostefano dal primo allenamento australiano di Matteo Berrettini 🇮🇹🔥🔨
(📽 IG @MattBerrettini) pic.twitter.com/RwPuJ6lZip
— Giovanni Pelazzo (@giovannipelazzo) December 26, 2024
Berrettini wrapped up the 2022 season in the top-20 after earning three ATP titles. The Italian played only 23 ATP matches in 2023, struggling with injuries and ending the season at the US Open. Matteo retired in the second round due to a ruptured ankle ligament.
Vienna 2024© Facebook – Erste Bank Open
The former Major finalist worked hard on his comeback, traveling to Melbourne at the beginning of 2024. However, he experienced another foot injury ahead of the first-round match and stayed off the court until March.
Matteo started the season at the Phoenix Challenger as world no. 154, reaching the final and falling to Nuno Borges. Berrettini conquered Marrakech on clay in April, returning to the winning circle and making a top-100 comeback. Matteo suffered an early Monte Carlo loss.
He withdrew from Madrid and Rome before skipping Roland Garros for the third straight year, training well but not feeling ready for the best-of-five duels. Matteo returned in Stuttgart on his beloved grass and reached the final. He lost to Jack Draper after a massive battle.
Matteo Berrettini, Kitzbuhel 2024© Stream screenshot
Matteo faced his compatriot Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon, pushing world no. 1 to the limits but losing all three tie breaks. The Italian bounced back on the fast clay court in Gstaad, taking all ten sets and lifting the second ATP title of the season.
Matteo carried this momentum to Gstaad and celebrated another trophy, winning all nine tie breaks during the fortnight and moving closer to a place in the top-40. Berrettini suffered early losses in Cincinnati and the US Open before earning three Davis Cup wins for Italy.
Matteo scored five wins at the following five tournaments, missing a chance to crack the top-30 by the end of the season. Berrettini joined forces with Jannik Sinner in Malaga and led his country toward the Davis Cup title defense, finishing the season on a high note.
US Open 2024© Stream screenshot
Matteo will start the new season in Brisbane, hoping for a strong run ahead of the Australian Open. Berrettini will likely skip the seeding spots in Melbourne, which means he can face anyone from the top already from round one.
One thing is for sure – no one will want to see him on the other side of the net, especially if he fires up his booming serve and forehand.
Tennis World USA