CINCH CHAMPIONSHIPS

June 15, 2021

Matteo Berrettini

Queens Club

Press Conference

M. BERRETTINI/S. Travaglia

7-6, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You may play Andy in the next round. I was wondering if you could cast your mind back to playing him in Beijing in 2019 where he beat you there. I suppose that was a bit of a surprise at the time, given his physical condition. He's obviously still struggling physically now. If it is him you play the next round, would you be careful not to underestimate him this time? What was it like playing him, even though maybe he wasn't physically 100% and he's still a very good player in your mind?

MATTEO BERRETTINI: I did not underestimate him when I played him in Beijing actually. I knew that I was playing a great champion, a great player.

And nothing. We played two breakers, to remember. I had my chances. Obviously he didn't have so many matches, but he's still, like, a great player.

I mean, he still has to play. I think it's also not really respectful for Benoit that he has to play against him. But if I'm playing Andy, for sure it's going to be a great match in his hometown, country. It's going to be a great atmosphere. Maybe the worst surface where I can play him.

So tough one, but, I mean, that's why I play tennis, to play the best guys on tour.

Q. (Statement about Italian players.) Can you just explain, if someone was to ask you, "Why are there so many good Italian players at the moment," what would you say to them?

MATTEO BERRETTINI: These questions, they ask me these questions all the times. I don't have I think the right one. I can guess. I think it's everything a little bit together the work of Federation, a little bit of luck, the fact that there are so many players that help each other to get there in a way that we stimulate each other, like in that way.

We practice together, we get better, we are, most of us, like, are young. I think the mentality changed a little bit. I think back, we are talking about this with some players and some coaches. I think the mentality change a little bit.

Now we all know that we can play in all the surface. Grass, clay, hard, doesn't matter. You are mentally ready to face any, I don't know, tough situations. That's what makes you, I think, a better tennis player. That's what we are trying to do.

I think we are taking this from the other players, as well, like I said. 2018 I think Cecchinato started everything. Fabio was already there. And then we figured out that we could make it, as well. That's why now we have, I guess, not 100% sure, but that's my answer.

Q. You mentioned before, you said Andy, worst surface to play him on is grass. Would you still rank him as one of the better players on grass kind of in the world? Seems like a lot of the young guys who are very good maybe haven't quite found their feet on it yet. Maybe it's because it's such a short season. Do you think it's hard to become really good at grass compared to other surfaces due to that lack of playing time?

MATTEO BERRETTINI: Definitely he likes to play here. He was born in England where grass I think started, like was created. He won Wimbledon, he won Olympic Games on grass, he likes to play here. That was I think his main goal, to be ready physically and mentally for these two tournaments.

So I think he's one of the best players, yeah, obviously when he's healthy. I know that it's not easy to go back and forth like from injuries, because you need the rhythm, but I'm sure that his experience is gonna help him a lot even in today match and the next matches.