Tough to Find Positives After Sinner Loss, Says Berrettini

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday July 3, 2024

It takes loads to knock Matteo Berrettini out of Wimbledon. How robust? Since 2019, he has solely been defeated by gamers ranked No.1 (thrice) or No.2 (as soon as) within the ATP rankings.

Second-ranked Roger Federer within the spherical of 16 in 2019; No.1 Novak Djokovic within the 2021 closing; No.1 Carlos Alcaraz within the third spherical final yr, and No.1 Jannik Sinner at this time.

The standard of his vanquishers was of no comfort to the 28-year-old Italian on Wednesday night time at Wimbledon nonetheless. He entered the draw unseeded, at No.59 on the planet, and drew the unfortunate straw within the second spherical, similar to he did final yr (ranked 38), when he drew Alcaraz within the third spherical.

These Two 🫶

Nothing however respect after leaving all of it out on the courtroom 🇮🇹@janniksin @MattBerrettini #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/CPBa0Xw6IL

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) July 3, 2024

“It is at all times robust to be optimistic after moments like this,” Berrettini mentioned after falling to Sinner, 7-6, 7-6, 2-6, 7-6 on Centre Courtroom. “I believe I performed an important match in opposition to the No. 1 on the planet, and I had many possibilities. So I assume what I’ve to take from this match is that the extent is there, which is one thing that I additionally at all times believed, however till you actually show your self, it is robust to really feel it, I assume.”

Berrettini was spectacular all through the competition, and it was straightforward to see that he’s one of many prime ten grass-courters on the planet (as his 41-11 total file on the surfaces attests), and mayb e larger. That mentioned, the loss stings, and the frustration that comes with watching peak years disappear in a stream of robust attracts and shut losses has not been straightforward on Berrettini.

The intense spot? Eventually Berrettini is, lastly, well being.

“Throughout the match I believed concerning the match, not about accidents, not about my physique, not about these items,” he mentioned. “On the finish it was a matter of what number of matches like this I performed within the final yr. I really feel clearly happy with myself, however on the identical time clearly a little bit bit unhappy for the consequence.”