Berrettini challenges Alcaraz in Paris: "In these conditions, I can beat anyone"
Almost five years have passed since the only time the Italian defeated the Spaniard on the court, but this Matteo acknowledges arriving at this afternoon's duel with the hope of delivering the final blow before the season ends.
It has not been an easy path, but it seems that Matteo Berrettini is already taking the final steps towards the place he deserves. After adding two victories in this Rolex Paris Masters 2026, he has an important match this afternoon against Carlos Alcaraz. Will he be ready for such a test? Listening to his words, it seems he is not afraid.
After his last victory against Ugo Humbert in the French capital, Berrettini wanted to reflect on the importance of the ranking and the distance that still separates him from the top positions. However, he made it clear that numbers do not always reflect a player's true potential, especially when certain playing conditions come into play.
"The ranking is a combination of many factors, but I know that in these conditions I can beat anyone," explained the current number 43 in the rankings, convinced that his tennis still has the arguments to compete against the big names on the circuit. This confidence is not new, although physical problems and inconsistency have influenced a good part of his recent seasons.
Berrettini sends a warning before facing Alcaraz
The match against Alcaraz – scheduled for 19:00 this afternoon on the central court – represents a perfect opportunity to see how far Berrettini can go at this moment. The Italian knows his strengths well and believes he has already shown enough of his level during this season, especially on the big stages.
💪 “Especially in these conditions, I can beat anybody. I know the worth of my tennis" https://t.co/uub1GYHzdr
— BB Tennis (@BBTennis_tv) November 5, 2026
"I know the virtues of my tennis and I believe I have demonstrated that this year in Grand Slam tournaments," he stated, before remembering that Paris has been a particularly unpredictable tournament. "Anything can happen here, as we have seen these days," reaffirmed the Roman player, born to shine on the big stages.
His reflection was even stronger when he spoke about the reasons that keep him competing: "If I continue to play tennis, it is because I still believe I can face the best." A statement that takes on particular meaning before facing the player from El Palmar.
Berrettini also wanted to put the importance of the rankings into perspective, reminding everyone of what lies behind a full season: "The ranking shows us a result after many tournaments, played on different surfaces and enduring the calendar, but I know I will soon be there," said the Italian, who is already looking even beyond Paris. Although he considers the season practically over, he is clear about where he wants to focus: "I have great hopes for 2027. I will work very hard in pre-season for next year," he concluded.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Berrettini desafía a Alcaraz en París: "En estas condiciones puedo vencer a cualquiera"