Matteo Berrettini has to be one of tennis’ least fortunate players of recent times, with injuries scuppering what once promised to be a remarkable career.
Having come so close to claiming that elusive Grand Slam title in 2019, and only strengthened since then, it seemed like he would be a consistent threat for elite titles for many years to come.
But, suffering from ailments relating to his wrist, ankle and abdominals, that dream has not yet been realised.
However, before those hardships began, Netflix actually captured one of his finest runs for their doomed show, which offers newer fans a glimpse into what made him so special.
Matteo Berrettini reflects on Netflix’s Break Point
Speaking live from Cincinnati ahead of his Cincinnati Open opener against Holger Rune, he chatted with Andy Roddick about everything to do with the sport.
Barely touching on the upcoming events, they laughed about past experienced in what was the first-ever live interview on the Served with Andy Roddick podcast.
Somehow, attention turned to Netflix’s failed tennis docu-series ‘Break Point’ and Berrettini’s starring role in the show.
Asked if he would return, should it emerge from cancellation, the 28-year-old was pretty stern in his stance: ‘Personally it was a good experience. Before doing it I was like, if I do it I do it all the way. So I’m not going to cut anything, unless I’m too pissed I don’t want to talk to anyone, not even my coach, then you know I don’t like cameras around me.
‘And you guys could see my room was a mess. They were like ‘We love it.’ Of course you love it.
‘I was a little bit, not upset but they followed me a lot that year. They only showed that part of the year and I was like, it could have been better and showed more. I also know that they’ve got a lot of players, it wasn’t easy.
‘Doing it again? Probably not. Looking at the product that’s out. I didn’t like… I think what you’re doing great with this podcast is also talking about tennis behind the scenes. I think there is so much to be shown about that, which is the cool part. Everybody can see the results, the matches, but I think the best part is behind the scenes.’
Matteo Berrettini has enjoyed his most successful calendar year
Despite previously reaching a career-best ranking of sixth in the world back in 2022, this year has arguably been his most successful thus far.
And, what makes it even more impressive, is that he is only really supposed to be competing to return to full fitness, having suffered untold injury horrors for so long before 2024.
Going into the year, little was expected from the Italian, who had to pull out of the Australian Open before dropping into a few Challenger events after some first-round exits.
Everybody knows the talent he boasts, but without physicality on his side, he was useless.
Fortunately, the grass court season was not far away, and in Stuttgart he enjoyed a run to the final of an ATP 250 event, losing to the in-form Jack Draper in three sets.
Clearly an inspirational run, he translated this form into Wimbledon, where Berrettini came so close to knocking out Jannik Sinner.
Having since gone on to win titles in Gstaad, Kitzbühel and Marrakech, he has never won this many titles in one year.
With Cincinnati starting tomorrow, and the US Open to swiftly follow, 2025 could be the year where Berrettini re-establishes himself amongst the elite in tennis, back where he belongs.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
