The Hands In Which Berrettini Trusts: Physio Ramon Punzano | ATP Tour

Editor’s Be aware: This text was translated from ATPTour.com/es.

A tennis participant’s most feared adversary is probably one which by no means wields a racquet. Accidents are essentially the most unpredictable blight any sportsman can undergo all through his profession, and Matteo Berrettini has not too long ago had first-hand expertise of them.

In 2022, the Italian underwent wrist surgical procedure, fought COVID-19 and recovered from an issue together with his left foot. Berrettini was sidelined from the ATP Tour for a number of months.

Nevertheless, the present No. 14 within the Pepperstone ATP Rankings has been working exhausting to return this season with a vengeance. One of many professionals that has helped him together with his restoration, physiotherapist Ramon Punzano, revealed to ATPTour.com particulars of the final yr, his relationship with Berrettini, and the strengths which have made him probably the greatest gamers on the earth.

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Ramon Punzano (far proper) celebrates with Crew Italy on the 2023 United Cup. Credit score: Tennis Australia

“Gamers concern not having the ability to return to their earlier stage. It generates a slight air of stress, concern, it’s not an optimistic atmosphere, that’s regular,” defined Punzano. “From a private {and professional} standpoint, you’re making an attempt to deliver calm to the scenario, you attempt to be as constructive as potential in moments of adversity.”

Early in 2022, Berrettini arrived in Melbourne and romped to the semi-finals of the Australian Open. Following that run, he reached a career-high No. 6 within the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. When the Italian was within the type of his life, a wrist damage compelled him to go below the knife, shortly after Indian Wells in March.

“It was a troublesome blow,” Punzano admitted. “The restoration was higher than anticipated and even I used to be a little bit stunned at how we progressed so rapidly, however the damage dictates how rapidly you may go. It’s a must to take heed to it, and if it permits you to, it’s important to speed up as rapidly as potential.”

The Italian and his workforce shifted their sights  to the grass-court swing. In 2021, he was a finalist at Wimbledon (l. Novak Djokovic), which means he must defend a major haul of factors this previous summer time. The Boss Open, which is held in Stuttgart, Germany, staged Berrettini’s return to the court docket in June.

“We managed an excellent begin to the grass swing. In Stuttgart he received, and in addition at Queen’s. We have been very assured of doing properly at Wimbledon, just like the earlier yr, however COVID-19 sidelined him,” Punzano stated. “In September he picked up a foot downside, which meant he missed a number of tournaments and was unable to play till the doubles within the Davis Cup Finals.”

Regardless of reaching the ultimate in Gstaad and the quarter-finals on the US Open, the shortage of continuity ruined an excellent season for Berrettini, each time he was in a position to take to the court docket. “It was a bittersweet season, with some nice moments and different very robust ones. Of the years I’ve been with Matteo, it was essentially the most troublesome. It was very up and down,” Punzano stated.

Punzano joined the Italian’s workforce on the finish of 2019. The Valencian specialist had beforehand labored with ATP stars resembling Juan Carlos Ferrero, David Ferrer, Pablo Andujar and in addition as a physio on the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, the outdated Valencia Open, and the Davis Cup Finals.

In additional than three years of working collectively, the Spaniard has had loads of time to get to know probably the greatest gamers on the ATP Tour throughout that point. What has stunned him most about Berrettini?

“By way of sport, having seen and labored with every kind of gamers, Matteo has one thing that characterises the greats a successful mentality,” Punzano answered with out hesitation. “Believing that he can win any match, that he has the weapons to beat any opponent and to essentially really feel that inside.”

Off the court docket, Berrettini has a collection of virtues that, not directly, additionally assist him to be stronger with a racquet in hand. “He’s a fairly empathetic individual,” defined Punzano. “He’s at all times considering of others. He understands that if we’re all glad and comfy in our work, it would make us give our all for him.

“He’s additionally a humble man. He accepts the opinions and criticisms of the members of the workforce with the intention to try to preserve enhancing. He doesn’t assume he’s at all times proper, he has an excellent capability for reasoning. He likes and desires to grasp why he does issues, what the explanation and standards are for engaged on a sure factor. When he understands it and considers that he must work differently, he accepts that.”

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Matteo Berrettini greets followers in Brisbane on the 2023 United Cup. Credit score: Tennis Australia

These virtues have been basic in coping with the age-old foe of accidents.“Because of that humility and psychological power, we’ve been in a position to deal with it in addition to potential,” Punzano stated. “Regardless that it’s not good for anybody. For the participant or the workers. They’re robust moments during which it’s important to do lots of work behind the scenes with the uncertainty of accidents.”

Punzano has supplied one of many lifelines that the Italian has clung onto with the intention to keep afloat in stormy waters. “When an excellent participant is injured they usually know they may miss a sure variety of weeks, in fact initially they’re in a state of pseudo-depression,” Punzano stated.

“It’s a must to attempt to assist them by way of that scenario, clarify to them how issues will progress, assist them perceive the issue. That relieves their nervousness they usually begin to see the longer term with extra optimism,” Punzano revealed. “However it’s important to get your head down and work exhausting, as a result of there’s no person to reward you. There are not any spectators, no followers, none of that. It’s not a scenario the place you’re going to get a lot assist. You actually must belief your workforce, and simply take into consideration the truth that the one approach ahead is difficult work and each day restoration.

“As quickly because the participant sees what you’ve defined to them, they begin to produce, they alter so much and loosen up. What was beforehand an act of religion, now begins to grow to be actuality. That provides them lots of optimism,” Punzano shared of the interval which the Italian hopes to have seen the again of.

Early on this new season, Berrettini has already performed a starring function within the United Cup, serving to Italy attain the ultimate of the primary version of the mixed-teams occasion.

“We’re optimistic and excited and we’re assured he can get well and return to his earlier stage,” Punzano concluded.

Two wins over High-10 opponents, resembling No. 3 Casper Ruud and No. 10 Hubert Hurkacz —in addition to a detailed three-set defeat to No. 4 Stefanos Tsitsipas— have brightened the sunshine on the finish of the tunnel. Berrettini is as soon as once more feeling aggressive towards the perfect on the earth.