The most honest Berrettini does not lose faith: "I do not feel inferior to anyone"

Carlos Navarro | 7 Apr 2026 | 10.10

Can Berrettini Return to His Best Level? Source: Getty

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Matteo Berrettini returns to the ATP Masters 1000 Montecarlo 2026, one of the most special venues during his previous season, with a clear objective: to secure victories that boost his confidence and prevent a potential setback. The Italian is at a clear risk of dropping out of the top 100, and his draw luck has not been entirely favorable: beyond his match against Roberto Bautista this morning, only a hypothetical win against Daniil Medvedev in the second round would ensure his return to the top 100.

All this, of course, in the last week before the list of players for Roland Garros 2026 is released: if Matteo does not want to get into trouble and be on standby for withdrawals until the last minute, he practically needs a couple of wins to get out of the bind. It is the short-term outlook for a man who, on the verge of turning 30 and devastated by injuries, does not lose confidence in himself... and, in statements to La Gazzetta dello Sport, fully trusts in making a comeback to what he once was.

"In March 2024, I was ranked 140th in the world, so it was quite worse... and I was able to return to the top 30. It is clear that there comes a moment when the champion's ego takes over, and you start asking yourself questions, but right now, I have no doubts: I have to be patient, which was never my best quality. With age, at least, you become wiser," confesses Matteo as he faces this new phase of his career with several novelties.

The first is internal and relates to his perspective, to his way of facing each week in a ruthless circuit that barely allows for rest. "I have realized that tennis is my life, that the flame that motivates me still burns. I had to change perspective: now I try to enjoy every second on the court, without letting the pressure overwhelm me." The second significant change refers to his team: the captain of the ship is now Thomas Enqvist, with Alessandro Bega as second in command, a combination (a 'supercoach' with an Italian coach, a former player, of a lower profile) that has worked for names like Jannik Sinner.

"We have built the ideal team, a team that can walk with me on the path I have set out: I train and I am happy, we look at the same horizon, which is to return to competitiveness and to the highest level of this sport, while being able to appreciate, at the same time, all that I have already achieved."

Berrettini confesses what he needs to approach his best level: a very sincere reflection

While confidence and ambition remain, the results still do not reach what the Roman is aiming for. No one better than him to reflect on what is missing in his game, where that filtering point is that needs to be resolved: "What I lack is consistency, especially in my game, because in training, we are doing everything we should. In the American tournaments, I left very satisfied with my performances, I was very aggressive, although perhaps not for as long as I would have liked," affirms a convinced Matteo, who makes it clear that he still does not feel "inferior" to any opponent, without any doubts about the level his game can reach.

Finally, Berrettini hinted at a small anecdote that reflects his new status as the 'godfather' of the latest wave of great names in Italian tennis: just before entering his thirties, he received a surprising call from Lorenzo Musetti. "Thanks to my age, I now have more experience. It pleases me that players from a later generation see me as a role model. After Indian Wells, for example, Lolo called me: he wanted to know how to mentally handle the return to the circuit after an injury. If I don't know that, after all I've been through..." This morning, Matteo begins the journey back to redemption in a Montecarlo that could be crucial for him.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El Berrettini más honesto no pierde la fe: "No me siento inferior a nadie"