INTERVIEW | Berrettini: "A person's happiness cannot depend on the ranking"

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After an early exit in Rome, the Challenger circuit has extended a helping hand to Matteo Berrettini this week to allow him to showcase his best version in the Copa Faulconbridge. Following a victorious start in the first round, the Italian sat down for an interview with Punto de Break.

Matteo Berrettini (Rome, 1996) exudes a certain aura as he walks the courts of the Club de Tenis Valencia. Whether it's his height, his pink backpack, or his natural beauty, Berrettini emanates that feeling of being a unique kind of tennis player, a truly special one. This week, he serves as one of the main attractions in the Copa Faulconbridge, where fans flock to him daily seeking autographs or photos. And how does Matteo respond? With warmth, acknowledging the lasting impact of his Wimbledon 2022 final or the three seasons he spent within the top 10.

Currently ranked #100, the years have advanced, and the calendar has shifted. In Valencia –his second Challenger event this season– he seeks the necessary points to secure his direct entry to the upcoming Wimbledon tournament, a place that holds fond memories for him. Yesterday, he started off strong against Taro Daniel (6-4, 6-2), but Matteo hasn't been preoccupied with numbers for a while. While his desire to return to the top is unwavering, he now understands that there are more important things in life. Punto de Break had the opportunity to chat with the Roman player and grasp the current priorities he holds close.

Why did you choose to play in Valencia?

I've always liked this country a lot, I love playing in Spain. I played a couple of times at this club some years ago, precisely when I worked with Ramón Punzano, a physiotherapist from Valencia. I've known Pablo Andújar for a long time, and he spoke very highly of the tournament, so all these factors led me here. I like the climate, the warmth, the people... I'm very happy.

Things didn't go well for you in Rome, does this motivate you to perform better here?

It's part of a tennis player's career, some weeks are good, others not so much. The key is to focus on the long term, as I've done throughout my career. The goal is to improve every week so that the mental, physical, and tennis levels can rise. This year, I didn't perform well in Rome, which is an important tournament for me, but what matters most is that I feel good physically when competing. In the upcoming months, there are fundamental tournaments like Roland Garros or Wimbledon, and we're working to approach them with more confidence.

How do you assess the first half of 2026?

Physically, it has been good, which was the main goal at the start of the season. I couldn't play in Australia because I wasn't in the ideal situation, but I did well in the South American swing and performed quite decently in the US. Then, things went well for me in Monaco on clay, but not so much in the subsequent tournaments. I'm here chasing that competitive edge at the highest level. It's not easy today with such a competitive circuit, but physically, we're fine, and mentally too. We need to work on confidence to step up in the competition; I know I can play well and win many matches.

Badosa mentioned in an interview that she found it challenging to accept her new situation, out of the top 5 and currently outside the top 100. Having also reached the top, have you experienced something similar?

Somewhat, yes. This sport reveals the ups and downs of life, moments of all kinds, good and bad. The truth is, most of my life was spent always striving to improve; I didn't enter the circuit and immediately reach the top 10. I spent many years in the junior circuit, in the Futures and Challengers, and now I'm at a different stage of my career.

Do you enjoy it as much as before?

I'm enjoying it quite a lot; the goal is to reach the top level in this sport again, but understanding that anything can happen. I've beaten two top 10 players this year, so I know my level is high; I just need a bit more consistency in results. Looking back at my best years, if I don't return there, it's not the end of the world. Right now, I'm training well and enjoying the journey.

Is the goal to return to the top 10?

Yes and no [...] Of course, reaching that level was a great memory for me, considering all the effort I put into my life, but then I realized how essential it was to enjoy the career I'm having. If I now reach 'only' the top 20, I won't see it as a bad thing; at this point, being in the top 20 has become a real challenge. I certainly aim to improve my ranking and compete with the best; hopefully, in a few months, I can achieve that. But as I said, if I don't return to the top 10, it's not the end of the world.

Some players, after reaching the top 10, claim to have been happier being #15, #30, or #60.

This varies from person to person. All tennis players are highly competitive; everyone wants to be better than the rest, to win more than others. Being top 10 or top 5 is a significant achievement for any player, but at 30 years old, I realize that the ranking isn't everything.

What things are more important?

Having a supportive family, people who love you, work with you, and care about your happiness and well-being, not just your results. These thoughts come to you as you get older, but if you have both, then you have the full package (laughter). What's clear is that a person's happiness shouldn't depend on rankings; otherwise, all those ranked #80 in the world would be unhappy.

And all top 10 players always happy.

Exactly, but we know things aren't that simple.

I see you with a lot of maturity, understanding this circuit more than ever.

Tennis has taught me many things; thanks to tennis, I'm a better person. To play this sport at these levels, you have to look inside yourself and truly see who you are. Discover your own secrets, what doesn't align with your personality, otherwise, playing becomes very challenging. Time has shown me that there are much more important things, but today, tennis remains a significant part of my life.

It's what has always been with you.

I was born playing tennis; I always wanted to dedicate myself to this, since I was 7 years old. Now, everything is more complex, much more than I imagined, but I try to enjoy it every day, squeeze out every moment, and savor every detail.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, ENTREVISTA | Berrettini: “La felicidad de una persona no puede depender del ranking”