Berrettini responds to Zverev: "I don't think the level was bad, he changed his way of playing"

Raquel Bermúdez Rodríguez | 8 Apr 2025 | 21.03

Matteo Berrettini in press conference at the ATP Masters 1000 Monte Carlo 2025. Photo: Getty

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It is undoubtedly one of the most special victories for Matteo Berrettini in recent months. The Italian, currently ranked at number 31 in the ATP Ranking, made a strong statement by defeating Alexander Zverev in the second round of the 2025 ATP Masters 1000 Montecarlo, clearly showing that he is still willing to give his all on the court for what he is passionate about. Minutes after delivering the blow, the Italian attended a press conference to explain the significance of this match.

Proud to turn the situation around

"I am very happy, very proud of how I turned the match around. I didn't feel my best, especially in the first set, and I have to say that Sascha was playing at a very high level. I had to push myself to change the dynamics, especially mentally, telling myself to believe in my shots and my tennis and to enjoy the fight. That's what I did and what I was telling myself, especially in the third set when things got a bit tough."

The support of the public

"It's something very special. It definitely helped me, at some moments I also tried to make the cheers even louder. It gives you energy, especially when you're tired. I have a memory from three years ago when I got injured here, and the next day I was in bed because I couldn't move. My abs hurt a lot, every time I sneezed or coughed, it hurt a lot. They were playing on the center court in the tournament, and I could hear them from my apartment. It was a tough day, so now I was able to enjoy it, now I'm going to make them shout for me, and that's how I found that energy in the third set," said Berrettini, who gave his all from start to finish.

On Zverev's words

"It's never easy to be sharp after a tough defeat, but I have to say that in the first set, he was playing at a very high and really aggressive level. When he saw me being more aggressive and trying to believe in my shots a bit more, he started to lose his way. That's what I felt, that the momentum changed. From that moment, it was noticeable that it was the other way around.

That's why at first, I was a bit surprised by him. Normally, he was a bit more passive and then he tried to step into the court. He started very aggressively from the beginning, so I don't think the level was bad, I just think his way of playing changed a bit. I also think that it happened because of the things that I have done too, which is obviously a mental game."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Berrettini responde a Zverev: "No creo que el nivel fuera malo, cambió su forma de jugar"