“In the darkness a little bit": Matteo Berrettini details mental battle behind Roland Garros run”
ATP
Matteo Berrettini underlined his Roland Garros quarter-final breakthrough by stating he “proved myself again” after a series of injury setbacks, framing his latest run as validation of his ability to compete at the highest level. The Italian advanced through a demanding draw in Paris, with his level gradually stabilising across the tournament as he rebuilt confidence under pressure.
Berrettini reached the last eight after defeating Márton Fucsovics, Ugo Humbert, Francisco Comesaña and Juan Manuel Cerúndolo, with his most convincing performance coming against Cerúndolo in straight sets. That match included two tie-break wins, which he controlled at key moments, marking it as his most authoritative victory of the campaign so far.
The former Wimbledon finalist emphasised the emotional weight of the run, noting the contrast with previous periods in which injuries limited his ability to compete consistently on tour. He described the win as both a performance milestone and a psychological reset after difficult months on and off the court.
His reflection after the match centred on resilience and identity, stating that the experience reinforced his belief in his playing style and competitive approach at the elite level.
Mental reset and return to “100% tennis”
Berrettini was explicit in connecting his recent performances with a broader psychological reset after injury. He acknowledged the emotional lows he experienced during periods away from competition and framed the victory as confirmation that he can still perform under pressure at the highest level.
He said the match reinforced his belief in his own resilience, noting that he “proved himself again” in difficult conditions. “I actually remember now how sad I was," the Italian said in press conference. "I’m not surprised, but I just proved to myself once again that I could do it, even in the toughest moment. I just found the energy.”
“I was lucky enough to have people around me that helped me to find that kind of energy, to find the positive vibes, the positive thoughts, which is not easy to find when you’re in the darkness a little bit, when things are not coming your way, and you’re struggling just to hit a few balls or you’re just struggling to compete.”
Berrettini also stressed that his identity as a player remains tied to aggressive shot-making rather than stylistic adaptation due to injury history. He rejected the idea of fundamentally altering his game, instead emphasising confidence in his natural strengths.
“The key was actually finding the confidence to go 100% every single shot like I did," the former world No. 6 added. "I think what made me successful was that I was hitting the ball hard and with a lot of weight on the ball.”
Italian tennis surge and final reflections
Berrettini placed his victory within the broader context of Italian tennis, noting that multiple compatriots are advancing deep into Roland Garros. He explicitly referenced the collective level shown by players such as Jannik Sinner, Lorenzo Musetti and Luciano Darderi, framing it as a positive structural moment for Italian tennis rather than an isolated performance.
He stressed that internal national matchups are part of the sport and increasingly common at the highest stages of the ATP Tour. While acknowledging the added complexity of facing a fellow Italian, he downplayed any emotional or competitive distortion, instead emphasising professionalism and routine competitiveness.
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The conversation closed with Berrettini returning to a broader reflection on what this phase of his career represents: recovery, identity, and competitive clarity after injuries. His comments repeatedly circled back to acceptance of his playing style and the need to commit fully to it under pressure, even after setbacks.
“When you're playing for yourself, it doesn't really matter who you're playing. Of course, if you're playing a fellow Italian, it's a little bit trickier, but it's part of the game. It's part of what we do.”
“Luckily, it's happening a lot on tour in the best stages. Flavio is in the quarterfinals as well. Obviously, we have Yannick, Lorenzo Musetti and Darderi. Everybody's playing unbelievable tennis. It's just good for the sport. It's just good for Italian tennis.”
“If he's going to win today, we're going to be sure that one Italian is going to be in the semis. It's good for the Italian fans.”
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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