Matteo Berrettini outlines his career goals and legacy

News

James Richardson
February 4, 2023

Matteo Berrettini favours enjoying everything he does over winning matches and tournaments.

Berrettini feels that victories and titles will follow if he can find a way to enjoy himself in preparation and play.

He suffered an early exit from the Australian but Berrettini remains upbeat about his chances in 2023.

“Once you feel that every day you are putting in the effort, improving the best that you can in everything you are doing, I think at the end of the day you can go to sleep and feel satisfied,” Berrettini told ATP Uncovered “It’s not about winning or losing, it’s not about a trophy or no trophy, it’s about if you are enjoying what you are doing, your life, or not.”

The Italian No 1 is living his dream already as he rubs shoulders with some of the best to have ever played the sport.

“When I was a kid, I was dreaming about being here, playing with the best guys,” he said.

“I was actually looking at the TV watching Novak [Djokovic], Rafa, Roger [Federer] playing, and now I’m playing with them. So it’s really inspiring for me and I think for the next generations as well.

“If you work hard, if you really have a dream, I think you can get there. And even if you don’t get there, if you try your best, it’s something that is going to be helpful for your life.”

Berrettini has reached the stage of his career when he is asked about his legacy in the game.

However he admits that it isn’t something he has really thought about.

That said, Berrettini hopes that he will inspire the next generation of Italian players,

“It’s weird to think about a legacy for me, because I never thought I could be here, when I was younger,” he said. “I never had a plan, I was just playing and playing.

“What really inspired me [later] was when kids were saying ‘I watch all your matches’, when they wear the hat like me, and they say ‘I do the forehand like Berrettini’. This is something that really makes me happy, so I really wish that people watching me feel something that is more than hitting a tennis ball.”

Berrettini, who was a Wimbledon finalist in 2021, enjoyed his best form during the grass swing in 2022 before a cruel COVID-19 positive ruled him out of the All England Championship.

Matteo Berrettini