Posted by Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday July 3, 2024
It is very necessary to knock Matteo Berrettini at Wimbledon. How hard is it? As of 2019, he has only lost to players ranked No.1 (three times) or No.2 (once) in the ATP rankings.
Second seed Roger Federer in the round of 16 in 2019; No.1 Novak Djokovic in the 2021 final; No.1 Carlos Alcaraz in the third round last year, and No.1 Jannik Sinner today.
The quality of his victories did not comfort the 28-year-old Italian on Wednesday night at Wimbledon. Entering an unprecedented draw, ranked number 59 in the world, he struggled in the second round, as he did last year (ranked 38), when he drew with Alcaraz in the third round.
These two 🫶
Nothing but respect after leaving everything in court 🇮🇹@janniksin @MattBerrettini #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/CPBa0Xw6IL
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) July 3, 2024
“It's always hard to be positive after times like this,” Berrettini said after falling to Sinner, 7-6, 7-6, 2-6, 7-6 on Center Court. “I think I played a good game against No. 1 in the world, and I had many opportunities. So I think what I have to take from this game is that the quality is there, which is something I've always believed, but until you really prove yourself, it's hard to feel it, I think.”
Berrettini was impressive throughout the tournament, and it was easy to see that he is one of the top ten leaders in the world (as his overall record of 41-11 proves), and maybe more. That said, the loss stings, and the frustration that comes with watching prime age fade away in a series of struggles and close losses hasn't been easy for Berrettini.
A bright spot? Finally Berrettini is alive.
“During the game I thought about the game, not about the injury, not about my body, not about these things,” he said. “In the end it was a question of how many games like this one I played last year. Obviously I feel proud of myself, but at the same time I'm obviously sad about the result.”
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