Matteo Berrettini outlines ‘the most important’ goal he has for 2025 that he places above his ATP ranking

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Italy’s Matteo Berrettini kicked off his Shanghai Masters campaign with a hard-fought win over Australia’s Christopher O’Connell.

The big-serving Italian was clinical in a testing and arduous battle in Shanghai. Two elongated tie-breaks just about separated the two men, with Matteo Berrettini using his experience to steal both. 

Both players saved set points before the Italian finally took the opener 11-9 in 67 minutes.

An hour later and only a hair’s-breadth between the two, the clinical Italian took his second match point to close out the second set 8-6.

A bumper clash against Holger Rune in the second round awaits the Italian.

Matteo Berrettini outlines his biggest goal before the Australian Open

Berrettini spent over six months on the sidelines nursing a foot injury, only returning to the ATP tour in March. 

Having withdrawn from the lion’s share of clay-court events, including Roland Garros for the third consecutive year, Berrettini is looking fierce once again.

Speaking after his victory, he revealed what his biggest goal was ahead of the Australian Open in January. “It would be good to be among the top 32 at the end of the year and be a seed in Australia,” the Italian told Punto de break.

“That’s one of the goals we set, but at the same time for me the most important thing is to be healthy and able to play, that’s the most important thing,” he concluded.

With the injury-ravaged 18-months hopefully more or less behind him, Berrettini’s ranking goal is of course solely contingent on his ability to compete and gain points.

What is Matteo Berrettini’s record against Holger Rune?

Finally set for some more stability after Rune finally split from Patrick Mouratoglou, the 21-year-old is fresh off making the Beijing semi-finals, losing out to a thrilling Arthur Fils comeback. 

Excluding one walkover Rune received in Monte-Carlo in 2023, the Dane leads their head-to-head 2-1.

The pair have played each other as recently as August, with Rune coming back from a set down to defeat the Italian.

With Rune still longing for his first ATP title of the year, he’ll be keen to weather the Berrettini storm, and further extend his lead over his rival.