After what happened this year I felt more plagued inside than outside” – Matteo Berrettini opens up on his injury troubles in 2023

Matteo Berrettini, the Italian tennis sensation, has recently opened up about the mental toll his injury-ridden season in 2023 has taken on him. The year has been a rollercoaster ride for Berrettini, with multiple setbacks affecting his performance and overall well-being.

His tumultuous journey in 2023 began with an early exit at the Australian Open, followed by a frustrating two-month hiatus due to injuries. Despite his determination to make a comeback at the Mexican Open, he struggled to secure noteworthy results in subsequent events, leaving him visibly frustrated and disheartened.

A significant blow came when an abdominal injury forced him to withdraw from the Monte-Carlo Masters just before his third-round match against Holger Rune. Berrettini eventually returned to the courts in Stuttgart, where he managed to reach the Round of 16 at the prestigious Wimbledon Championships.

However, his misfortune persisted as he suffered an ankle injury during the second round of the US Open, forcing him to withdraw from the event and watch from the sidelines as Italy secured their spot in the 2023 Davis Cup Finals.

In a recent interview, Berrettini provided a glimmer of hope by sharing a positive update on his injury recovery. He expressed, “I’m recovering well; the injury was less serious than expected. I’m better now, but after what happened this year, I felt more injured inside than outside. These days of recovery have helped me rediscover the right energy, and the thought of playing in Malaga gives me renewed vigor.”

Despite the setbacks, Berrettini has found a silver lining in this challenging season. He admitted that the time spent on the sidelines allowed him to rediscover the joy of being a professional tennis player. “They were difficult moments that I didn’t enjoy, but they were essential in helping me reconnect with the reasons why I started playing tennis as a child. It’s something that has defined my entire life. The darkness gave me the space to reflect and rediscover myself,” he shared.

The toll of these injuries was not limited to Berrettini’s physical condition; it also had a significant impact on his ranking. Entering the US Open as World No. 36, he was defending 360 points from his quarterfinal finish in the previous year’s tournament. His withdrawal from the event, coupled with his inability to defend titles from 2022, namely the Stuttgart Open and the Queen’s Club Championship, has seen him drop to World No. 66 in the ATP rankings.

Matteo Berrettini’s resilience and determination to bounce back from this challenging season serve as an inspiration to many. Tennis enthusiasts and fans eagerly await his return to the courts, hoping to witness his undeniable talent and fighting spirit once again shine brightly on the world stage.