Italian tennis star Matteo Berrettini revealed the pressure and stress was too big for him going into last year’s Wimbledon final that he couldnt really eat or sleep well. Last year, Berrettini made his maiden Grand Slam final at Wimbledon.
There, Novak Djokovic was awaiting for Berrettini. Berrettini was playing absolutely great on grass last year but he was aware that one of the toughest tasks in tennis was awaiting for him – playing Djokovic on Wimbledon’s grass.
Djokovic, who entered the Wimbledon final as the favorite, lost the opening set but recovered to beat Berrettini in four sets and win his sixth title at The Championships. “I remember last year that I wasn’t really able to sleep, I was barely eating.
I remember that my stomach was closed. The tension was a lot,” Berrettini said, per James Gray.
Berrettini on facing Djokovic in the Wimbledon final last year: “I remember last year that I wasn’t really able to sleep, I was barely eating.
I remember that my stomach was closed… The tension was a lot.” — James Gray (@jamesgraysport) June 19, 2022
Berrettini says he will be more ready this year
Last year, Berrettini arrived to Wimbledon without a loss on grass.
This year, Berrettini will again arrive to Wimbledon without a loss on the fastest tennis surface. “If I’m going to reach the final this year, I’m going to be more ready. I know what to expect. I know what I’m going to feel.
But I feel I’m a better tennis player, because I have more experience now,” Berrettini added.
Berrettini on perhaps playing Djokovic again: “If I’m going to reach the final this year, I’m going to be more ready.
I know what to expect. I know what I’m going to feel. But I feel I’m a better tennis player, because I have more experience now.” — James Gray (@jamesgraysport) June 19, 2022
Berrettini, who underwent a right hand surgery in March, returned to action two weeks ago in Stuttgart.
In Stuttgart, Berrettini was battling doubts but his team lifted his spirits and he was able to win it all. “The week before Stuttgart, my hand was hurting, not the part that I got injured, but the rest of the hand: the callous, the wrist.
The hand wasn’t strong enough,” Berrettini revealed. After winning Stuttgart, Berrettini went to the Queen’s Club, where he defeated Filip Krajinovic in the final to successfuly defend his title at the tournament. Berrettini is 9-0 on grass this season as he is hoping to go 16-0 and lift his maiden Grand Slam title at Wimbledon.
