Matteo Berrettini on Wimbledon exit: "Thought it was a joke"
Matteo Berrettini was unable to attend Wimbledon 2022 due to a positive COVID-19 test. A particularly bitter pill for the Roman, especially since he was able to win two grass titles in the run-up to the major tournament.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit:
Aug 10, 2022, 10:14 am
The start for the organizers of Wimbledon was also somewhat bumpy in 2022. COVID-19, which even forced the organizers to cancel the classic grass event completely in 2020, did not remain without noticeable effects on the third Grand Slam event this year either. tournament of the year. Because: With Matteo Berrettini, Marin Cilic and Roberto Bautista-Agut, three top 20 players had to bury their title hopes on the sacred grass before the tournament started.
This end was undoubtedly particularly bitter for the Italian Berrettini, who had reached the first Grand Slam final in Wimbledon in 2021 and was particularly convincing in the preparation for the major event by winning two titles. "The truth is that it was very difficult for me to see myself eliminated from the tournament. When they told me the result, I thought it was a joke because I felt good," Berrettini explained in the run-up to the ATP Masters 1000 events of Montreal.
Berrettini with a difficult task in Montreal
The quarantine itself was also a challenge for Berrettini, as he emphasized. Especially since he had set himself the goal throughout the entire isolation not to sink too much into negative thoughts, but to look towards a positive future. Ultimately, however, this approach bore fruit, as the Roman explained: "There were a few days when I felt that I could recharge my batteries and that they could have been important for my career."
Now Berrettini wants to attack again at the end of the season - at least as far as the Grand Slam tournaments are concerned. At least at the first station - the ATP Masters 1000 event in Montreal, the 26-year-old did not succeed. Already at the start the Roman had to give up after a clear 3:6 and 2:6 defeat against Pablo Carreno Busta. Next stop for Berrettini: the next ATP Masters 1000 event - in Cincinnati.