Matteo Berrettini admitted that his 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-3 defeat against Rafael Nadal in the semifinal of the Australian Open is a lesson to learn for the future.
“I learned that you have to beat any time. It was the first time that I played under the roof. It was different conditions. I struggled. At the beginning I could not really find the rhythm. It took me a while to adapt, but at the same time Rafa was playing really well. I learned that you have to be ready any time. It’s a sport that you have to be able to able to adapt to everything that is happening. Today he was just better than me”, said Berrettini.
Berrettini has become the first Italian player to reach the quarter finals in each of the four Grand Slam tournaments. Berrettini lost to Novak Djokovic in the final at Wimbledon and in the quarter finals at Roland Garros and the US Open in 2021 and to Rafael Nadal in two semifinals at the US Open in 2019 and at the Australian Open in 2021.
“It makes me feel that maybe it’s time to beat them. I know that my level is getting higher and higher. Here for the third and the fourth set my tennis was really high. I am not saying that he was struggling, but he had to play his best tennis to be with me, and this is what the great champions they do. When you are stepping up the level, they are there with you. I am proud of what I have done, but I guess in a way it’s good that I still have room for improvement. I can learn from these matches, and next time I want to be ready for them”, said Berrettini.
Berrettini is still seeking his first Grand Slam win against a top-10 player. He has a 0-7 record in his head-to-head matches against players, who are ranked in the top 10.
“The first two sets weren’t what I expected, what I wanted from myself. I would not say flat, but I was not in the right mood, in the right mental mindset and for so many reasons. The fact is that I was just like that, and it was good that I had a really a big reaction. This is that I am most proud and happy about, but you cannot be in the court like this for the first two sets against a player like Rafa. For sure the attitude in the first two, it was not good enough. I think that the score proved it. I learned that you have to be ready any time, and I am learning this every day since I started playing tennis. In a sport that you have to be able to adapt to everything that is happening”, said Berrettini.
Berrettini consieders Nadal as a role model.
“Just look at the number. I don’t know how many semifinals Rafa has played, but I know that he has more experience in this. We chatted a little bit in the locker room. He told me that it was a good run, and I told him again. It’s just really nice for me to talk to him and have this kind of conversation, because I am still learning from him, and it’s good”, said Berrettini.
Berrettini is happy with with his semifinal at the Australian Open despite the defeat against Nadal in the semifinal.
“I don’t think I have to say anything about my tennis in the third and fourth sets. I think it was a really good fight. I was playing good tennis and he was playing good tennis. I think it was fun to watch, I was having fun playing it. The first two sets weren’t what I expected, what I wanted from myself. I would not say I was flat, but I wasn’t in the right mood, in the right mental mindset, for many reasons. I think for the first time I am in the semifinals. against Rafa, it was good that I had a really good reaction. This is the thing that I am most proud and happy about”, said Berrettini.
Nadal praised Berrettini after the semifinal match.
“Matteo reached the final at Wimbledon, the semifinals here. Every year he is playing better and better. He is a very charismatic player on Tour. He is a good guy. I wish him all the best and I think he has a great future in front of him”, said Nadal.
