“I hope it will be a long season, full of matches and tournaments” Matteo Berrettini ready to push limits after resurgent 2024 season

Matteo Berrettini prepares to kick off the 2025 season at the Brisbane International, this time in a much better position than a year ago. The former Wimbledon runner-up spent a significant part of 2023 sidelined and began 2024 ranked outside the top 100.

However, he achieved solid results on the Tour, claiming three ATP 250 titles throughout the season and climbing to World No. 34. Arriving in Australia for his first tournament, the Italian remains cautious about setting specific goals for the new season.

Berrettini eyes a fresh start in Brisbane

The former World No. 6 was honoured with the 2024 Comeback of the Year Award after finishing the season in the top 40, despite starting the year ranked outside the top 150. Nonetheless, it wasn’t a year without setbacks, as Berrettini faced a two-month hiatus during the clay swing, missing key tournaments such as Madrid, Rome, and Roland Garros.

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“I hope it will be a long season, full of matches and tournaments,” stated Berrettini during his first press conference in Brisbane. “I am happy to be here. Last year, I missed the Australian tour due to injury, and my season started in March. I am proud of myself because I worked hard to come back.”

Berrettini expressed his joy over his significant ranking improvement, along with his titles in Marrakech, Gstaad, and Kitzbühel, but refrained from setting specific targets for this season. “It is not easy to talk about goals because I never know what to expect. Last year, I started at 105th place and managed to win three titles. The ranking is very different now, and I want to push my limits.”

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The Brisbane International is already underway with its qualifying rounds, and the main draw will kick off on Monday, December 30. Despite being an ATP 250 event, it features top-tier players, including Novak Djokovic (No. 7), Grigor Dimitrov (No. 10), and Holger Rune (No. 13), as well as the much-anticipated return of Nick Kyrgios.

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