Matteo
Berrettini has kicked off the grass swing in great form, once again
demonstrating that he is a grass-court specialist by reaching the final of the
ATP 250 Stuttgart Open. The Italian defeated his compatriot Lorenzo Musetti
(No. 30) and will seek his fifth grass-court title against Brit Jack Draper
(No. 40).
Berrettini's
ranking does not reflect his status on the Tour, especially when it comes to
grass tournaments, where he has had outstanding performances at Wimbledon and
several titles along the way. The world No. 90 was a finalist at SW19 in 2021,
and his recent performances have been against tough opponents.
The grass-court specialist
The
former world No. 5 has a new opportunity to claim a title after two years.
Berrettini is playing just his fourth ATP-level tournament this year (in
addition to a Challenger in Phoenix), due to constant injuries that have
prevented him from maintaining regularity on the Tour.
However,
he has had good performances: finalist in Phoenix, champion of the ATP 250
Marrakech Open, and now the final of the Stuttgart Open, with the possibility
of winning his second title of the year. The grass swing appears as a great
opportunity for Berrettini to climb back up the rankings and secure his
presence in the major tournaments.
His
recent performances at Wimbledon have been remarkable. In 2023, he fell to
first seed and eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz after reaching the fourth
round, including wins over Alex De Minaur and Alexander Zverev along the way.
In 2021, he was the runner-up, losing in the final to 7-time champion Novak
Djokovic, having defeated players like Felix Auger-Aliassime and Hubert
Hurkacz. Even further back, in 2019, he fell to eventual runner-up Roger
Federer in the fourth round.
Berrettini at 2023 Wimbledon.
Berrettini's
record on grass is 36-8 (81%) and 13-4 at Wimbledon (76%), with his best result
at SW19 being the final in 2021. In his career, he also has four titles on this
surface: Queen’s Club Championships (2021, 2022), Stuttgart Open (2019, 2022).
Berrettini
will have the opportunity to claim his fifth title on grass this Sunday and
could also match Rafael Nadal with three crowns in Stuttgart, with the
difference being that Nadal won the title twice when it was played on clay,
while all of Berrettini’s wins were on grass.
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.