Matteo Berrettini, the Italian tennis sensation, has candidly revealed his self-critical nature and the internal struggles he experiences on the court. Known for his outstanding tennis career, Berrettini has carved a niche for himself between 2021 and 2022, as he made it to the Wimbledon Championships final and several other Grand Slam semifinals. The only Grand Slam that the Italian tennis prodigy has yet to conquer is Roland Garros, where he hasn’t yet been a semifinalist.
However, the road to success hasn’t been smooth for Berrettini. His performance in recent years has been marred by injuries, which led to his absence from several tournaments and affected his game. Despite these setbacks, the former world No.6 has shown remarkable resilience. He bounced back in the past year, winning three trophies in 2024 in second-tier tournaments, and clawed his way back into the ATP’s Top 30 this year.
Currently, the 28-year-old Rome native is demonstrating formidable prowess on the tennis court. His quarterfinal stints in both Doha and Dubai bear testament to this. Moreover, the ATP 500 in Qatar saw Berrettini achieve a personal milestone as he outplayed tennis legend Novak Djokovic in the first round.
Berrettini, known for his warm personality and intelligence off the court, recently appeared on the ‘Tintoria’ podcast hosted by Stefano Rapone and Daniele Tinti. During the conversation, he confessed to being overly harsh on himself while playing. He revealed, “I have always treated others better than I treat myself. This approach has propelled me to certain levels, so I’m scared to tone it down.”
In a sport like tennis, where excuses and justifications are abundant, Berrettini learned never to seek alibis. He further added, “You have to be a robot. The person I despise the most when I play is me; I should forgive myself more.”
Last year, Berrettini played a crucial role at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, which led Italy to secure the trophy for the second consecutive year. His self-critical nature, combined with his exceptional talent, continues to shape his career and his approach to the game. Offering a peek into the mindset of a high-level athlete, Berrettini’s revelations underscore the mental toughness required in professional sports.
