THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 7, 2023

Matteo Berrettini

Press Conference

M. BERRETTINI/A. de Minaur

6-3, 6-4, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Welcome to the press conference for Matteo Berrettini.

Matteo, your official thoughts on today's match.

MATTEO BERRETTINI: Yeah, really, really happy for the performance. I think I played really well from the very first point until the end. Something that I actually didn't expect that much.

It feels even better. Yeah, like I said today in press conference, I'm happy to be here, so I think that thing helped.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Quite a tricky year for you, testing positive for COVID at the start of last year's tournament, then injuries along the way. How good it feels to be into the third round now?

MATTEO BERRETTINI: Yeah, I said it yesterday. Last year, what happened last year is something that I think it didn't heal yet. It's a really sharp pain, if I think about it.

I probably was in the best shape in my career, especially feeling great on grass. I wanted to enjoy the tournament. Such a special tournament for me. Not being able to play was something that, even when I was better physically, was really tough mentally to overcome.

That's why I'm here this year, because I missed last year. I was really sad. Even playing like few points would have been good this year. Yeah, that's why I'm really happy. I'm really glad. I know it's third round, but it feels like way more.

Q. How did you overcome the mental struggles? Did you seek any help, mental coach?

MATTEO BERRETTINI: Yeah, it's a matter of many people that are around you, your family, your team, yourself mostly. It's something that hits you sometimes. We have a weird, weird schedule, weird career, which you never really going to stop.

I remember I pulled out from here. I was like a week home, the house that I rented. Then I was, Okay, I'm going to practice on clay because I want to play in Gstaad. You don't actually have the time to really think about it. I remember I was really sad.

When I was injured at the end of the year, it got me again. I stopped and realized I missed a slam again.

Many people helped me. At the end I think has to be something from yourself inside when you're tired of being sad, you're going to do something about it.

Q. Your game matches up very well on the grass. Could I ask why you think it suits you so well and other players seem to struggle?

MATTEO BERRETTINI: That's a great question.

Actually I used to struggle on grass my first year, 2018. I felt like I didn't have enough time. I grew up on clay. My forehand, my serve even, was just shaped for slower surfaces.

Then I don't know what happened actually. I just change a little bit my attitude. I felt like playing aggressive, it's really important here. You don't have to stress out that much during the matches.

Sometimes the opponent is just serving better than you, you're returning... You have to let it go. You have to be ready in the important moments. That's what I'm trying to do.

Then it's about confidence, like playing and playing. I think all the tournaments are really nice and I like the atmosphere there, which is really important for me. I always enjoy playing them.

Yeah, that's one of the reason.

Q. When and why did you start wearing a backwards cap when you play? What are your thoughts about the fashion statement and what it's like for you to wear a backwards cap?

MATTEO BERRETTINI: So I started in 2016. I was injured for seven months. I had a big problem in my knee, left knee. I don't know why. One day I just showed up on the court when I was coming back wearing my hat backwards.

My dad, when he's playing, we used to play, he always played like this. He was never professional, but he likes to play paddle tennis, whatever. He has long hair so he needs something.

I just liked it. Then I figured when I was taking it off, I was sweating -- it's not that I'm sweating more, but the sweat is coming in my face. I figured it was actually convenient to have it.

Then I don't know. Sometimes when I don't wear it in practice, I'm really focused, I touch my head like I have it. It became something really important for me to be focused in the game. Nothing. I like it. I think it's cool. It's okay.

Yeah, normally you wear a hat for the sun, but I don't need that. I don't know. Maybe for the sweat.