THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 1, 2021

Matteo Berrettini

Press Conference

M. BERRETTINI/B. Van de Zandschulp

6-3, 6-4, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Many of the greats who have made it through to the finals here and won the championship have looked at the two weeks as a progression, they get better with each match. How would you describe the progress you're making and your outlook for the rest of the tournament?

MATTEO BERRETTINI: I would describe them in a way that the match of today, for example, gives me a lot of confidence because I think I didn't play my best tennis -- I actually didn't play a bad match, I won in straight sets with a guy that was playing really good. It means I played a really good level. But I know that I can play better.

It gives me confidence because I know I can win these kind of matches even though I'm not playing, like I said, my best tennis. At the same time I know that I can play better.

I just see really positive stuff. I'm happy also because I played just three sets.

Q. What are your earliest memories of watching some of the greats of the game win championships at Wimbledon? What inspiration is that for you?

MATTEO BERRETTINI: I mean, I remember a lot of matches. But I think the one I remember better was Roger against Roddick, 14-12 in the fifth, something like that. So many match points and stuff. I remember I was in this tennis camp in summer. We were all watching. People were getting tired. My eyes couldn't go. I was there, I wanted to follow every point. It was a great memory because I was cheering for him. I don't know if he knows that.

I mean, I look at Wimbledon always with something like a special feeling, even though before I played juniors I never been here. I always felt it was something special. The first time I was here, I was just feeling like it's a temple. If you love tennis, and even if you don't love it, I think you have to come here because it's something special.

Now being here, playing, feeling good, just everything is really nice.