Italian tennis star Matteo Berrettini was visibly emotional after winning Stuttgart as he admitted that winning a title following a three-month injury layoff was extremely important to him.
Berrettini underwent a right hand surgery in March and sat out the entire clay season.
Berrettini returned to action in the opening week of the grass season, and it was quite an impressive comeback, as he defeated Andy Murray in the Stuttgart final 6-4 5-7 6-3 to win his first title of the year.
āIt is unbelievable. It was obviously a goal [to win the title], but I thought it would be really, really tough,ā Berrettini said. āI donāt even think I played my best tennis, but that is why I am even more proud of myself. Mentally I was really tough. I did an unbelievable job to be there. I fought hard and this means a lot.ā
Berrettini shows respect to Murray
Berrettini and Murray met for the third time as the Italian now has a 2-1 head-to-head versus the Briton.
Murray has been playing with a metal hip for several years now and Berrettini has hailed the Briton as an unbelievable fighter and added his story is very inspirational.
“Unbelievable fighter. The fighting spirit that Andy is showing on the court, I’m still learning and I remember when I was a kid, I was watching you on TV and now itĀ doesn’t feel real that I’m here playing against you. So thanks for what you’re doing,” Berrettini said.
Berrettini on Muzzah; “Unbelievable fighter. The fighting spirit that Andy is showing on the court, I’m still learning and I remember when I was a kid, I was watching you on TV and now it doesn’t feel real that I’m here playing against you. So thanks for what you’re doing.”
ā Chris Oddo (@TheFanChild) June 12, 2022
En route to winning Stuttgart, Berrettini defeated Radu Albot, Lorenzo Sonego, Oscar Otte and Murray.
“My body is hurting a little bit,” Berrettini said. “It had been three matches without matches and today was almost three hours, so I am feeling it.”
However, Berrettini won’t have much time to rest as he is now set to defend his Queen’s title.
Berrettini has been drawn to face Daniel Evans in his Queen’s opener.