“I need to prioritize feeling good and enjoying what I do”: Matteo Berrettini looks ahead to 2026 after motivating Davis Cup title

Matteo Berrettini spoke about his goals for the 2026 season after an inspiring end to the year, where he was key for the Italian team in winning their third consecutive Davis Cup. The former Wimbledon runner-up is still fighting to find consistency after years marked by injuries and does not set concrete performance targets for the upcoming season.

Until a few years ago, Berrettini was a fixture in the top 10 and a serious contender in Grand Slam tournaments. The 29-year-old player reached one major final, two semifinals, and three quarterfinals in majors, as well as a Masters 1000 final at the Madrid Open.

After finishing three consecutive seasons in the top 10, Berrettini has faced injuries and a drop in performance, which has prevented him from consistently performing at his maximum level. Berrettini aims to give his career a fresh boost in 2026, after finishing the season as world No. 56.

In a recent interview with Men’s Health Italy, the former world No. 6 spoke about the importance of off-season work to prepare physically, avoid injuries, and withstand the tough conditions of the Australian swing. “Winter is the period where the foundations for the entire season are set,” he says. “Everything is worked on: strength, explosiveness, endurance. During the season, with so many tournaments on the calendar, you can’t push yourself so much. That’s why I’m going to Dubai: I need to recreate the right heat conditions.”

Berrettini also highlighted the importance of mental work for a tennis player, which is an endless journey. “Mental work lasts 365 days a year. It’s not just about performance, it’s about everything: how you approach training, travel, life. You have to manage every detail,” commented the 2021 Wimbledon runner-up. “I close my eyes, breathe, slow down. I always tend to go fast, sometimes too fast. However, when there’s an important competition, you have to slow down. Take your time, detox from everything: phone, notifications, outside information.”

A highlight for the Italian at the end of the season was his participation in the Davis Cup, where he played as the second singles behind Flavio Cobolli and helped Italy claim the title with three consecutive wins from both players—covering the notable absences of Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti, their top-10 representatives.

For Berrettini, it was also an opportunity to recover mentally thanks to the support of the crowd in Bologna, followed by well-deserved vacations. “It’s wonderful to feel the love from the people. I tried to give back to everyone. Then I went to the Maldives with my family. Something we hadn’t done in a long time. Moments just for us, which are also good for the heart.”

The 10-time ATP title winner explained that he does not set ranking goals but instead focuses on feeling physically well to get the best out of himself. “I don’t set goals, not because I want to hide it, but because it doesn’t excite me. I know results are achieved with other things,” added Berrettini. “The Davis Cup proved it. I need to prioritize feeling good and enjoying what I do. When I manage to be aggressive on the return, the opponent feels pressure. My service games fade quite easily: if I create more chances on the return, I can make a difference.”

The Italian is not entered in any early-season tournaments and will begin his 2026 campaign at the Australian Open, where he will arrive this time without a seeded position. Back in early 2025, he reached the second round before being eliminated by Denmark's Holger Rune.