PARIS : Matteo Berrettini said he is beginning to trust his game again after reaching the fourth round of the French Open, marking only his second appearance in the last 16 of a Grand Slam since 2022 following years of injuries and self-doubt.
The former world number six battled past Francisco Comesana in a marathon five-hour contest on Saturday, prevailing 7-6(3) 5-7 6-7(4) 6-4 7-6(15-13) to book his place in the second week at Roland Garros.
Berrettini’s career was disrupted by recurring fitness problems after he finished runner-up to Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon in 2021. Since then, the Italian has missed eight of the last 18 Grand Slam tournaments.
While encouraged by his progress in Paris, the 30-year-old admitted he arrived at the tournament without the confidence that once helped him become one of the sport’s top players.
“I know what it takes to go deep in a slam, but I haven’t been deep in a slam for a long time,” Berrettini told reporters. “Coming into the tournament, I didn’t have the confidence like I had a couple of years ago, but I feel like I’ve built this confidence up.”
An emotional Berrettini appeared close to tears as he acknowledged the crowd on Court Simonne Mathieu after the victory.
The Italian said the moment reflected the doubts he had experienced during his lengthy struggle with injuries.
“I thought that I couldn’t come back, I couldn’t feel good on court again,” he said. “That’s why I was emotional, because I proved to myself one more time that I can do this, I can do it well, I can fight, and I can enjoy my time on court.”
Berrettini will next face fellow Argentine Juan Manuel Cerundolo, who produced one of the tournament’s biggest upsets by eliminating world number one Jannik Sinner in the second round.
