MUTUA MADRID OPEN

May 8, 2021

Matteo Berrettini

Press Conference

M. BERRETTINI/C. Ruud

6-4, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. First ATP Masters 1000 level final. How does that feel different compared to all the finals you've been in before?

MATTEO BERRETTINI: It's definitely a really good feeling. Yeah, it's different in a way. When you're about to play, you're just thinking that ^ you're playing a finals. Obviously I was in the semis in US Open. Everything is different.

But it's just a great feeling. Especially, like I said in the court, after the struggle after my injury, I think I work really hard. I'm maybe even more happy.

Q. About your injury, is part of the frustration for you the fact that you started the year so well with some huge wins in ATP Cup, then second week at the Australian? Did you feel at the beginning of the season you were going to play this kind of tennis this year, maybe that's why you were so frustrated?

MATTEO BERRETTINI: Actually I work really hard in my pre-season, but I wasn't feeling like really, really good on the court. But I knew that the work that I've done eventually it would have, like, paid off somehow.

I have to say that since I got in Australia and I started the quarantine and the practice and stuff, with my coach we said, Okay, I'm playing good, I'm good. Sometimes is a matter of, like, mental performance, I don't know, or just that your confidence is building up.

I spoke to my manager, Ivan Ljubicic. He helped me a way. He just told me he really believes in me. That kind of stuff helps, especially because it's coming from someone, like he had unbelievable career. It really helped me in that way. I felt my team behind my shoulders.

Nothing, yeah. I told you, after I step in in Australia, I felt like I could play that way. That's why I was so upset when I got injured. I was like, Okay, now again I have to come back and get to that level again? It's going to take time. I was upset.

Q. You were the first person I believe to successfully break Casper Ruud's serve all week. How did you do it? Are you surprised the two service breaks made the difference in the match?

MATTEO BERRETTINI: I think my return today was really a high level. We play each other already this is the fourth time, so I kind of know him like in the same way I think he knows me. I didn't expect this performance. You step in the court and you say, Okay, I know I can return, but then you don't know how well you're going to do that.

The key I think today was, like, putting pressure on his serve, first serve and second serve. I was always trying to get the momentum and attacking even his first serve. I know that he likes to have time, run around the forehand. I tried to do that. It work out pretty well. I'm happy for that.

Q. What do you remember about the semifinal against Zverev in Shanghai? What is the greatest challenge facing him?

MATTEO BERRETTINI: I remember that it was tough to return (smiling). I remember he was serving really well. The times that we played each other in Rome, obviously they were different conditions, I remember in Shanghai I think the roof was closed, the court was very fast, and obviously in Rome it was different. I mean, I remember there was one break each set. I guess he just served better than me and I got broken twice. That was it. That's what I remember.

Yeah, tomorrow I think it's kind of the same. I saw him, he's playing really good. He's solid. He moves well. For his height, he's really good. He serves well. I mean, he's in the final. He beat Rafa and Dominic, probably the best players on clay.

It's going to be a challenge match, but I'm in the finals. I guess the best two guys are going to play each other.