"The darkness seems to have no end, it swallows you": Berrettini opens up on spiralling into depression and mental health issues
ATPMonday, 07 August 2023 at 05:00
Matteo
Berrettini recently opened up about his struggles with depression and mental health
issues.
The Italian
tennis player has had a challenging year in 2023, as injuries have hindered his
ability to compete regularly, resulting in poor results in both ATP and
Challenger tournaments.
Currently
ranked as world No. 38, Berrettini's performance in 2023 has placed him at the
74th position in the ATP Race, which considers only the points accumulated
during this year.
In the
upcoming weeks, he will have to defend the points he earned at the 2022 US
Open, where he reached the quarterfinals. However, in both Canada and
Cincinnati, he was eliminated in the first round, providing him with an
opportunity to gain valuable points and avoid a significant drop in the
rankings.
In a recent
interview with Corriere Della Sera, the Italian tennis player candidly spoke
about the challenges he has faced in terms of mental health and well-being.
"Deep
down, even when I feel exhausted, this [competing on the court] is one of the
things that makes me alive. Not being able to do so, in important appointments,
made me know the darkness. And the darkness seems to have no end, it seems to
swallow you because instead of standing still and breathing, you dig yourself
an abyss," Berrettini said.
"They
were bad moments, which I did not like. But they were fundamental to make me
rediscover the reasons for the joy of doing what I started as a child and that
has occupied my whole life. I thought back to the origins to find myself. The
darkness gave me the space to do it," former Wiimbledon finalist added.
Former
world No. 5 will play his first-round match at the Canadian Open on Monday
against Frenchman Gregoire Barrere, whom he has never faced before. If he secures
a victory, his compatriot and current world No. 7 Jannik Sinner awaits him in
the second round.
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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