Matteo Berrettini: confession about Grand Slam tournaments.
The words of Matteo Berrettini after the victory over Humbert
Matteo Berrettini spoke after his Us Open first-round victory over Ugo Humbert, defeated in three sets (6-4 6-2 6-2). "I want to enjoy every single moment in this tournament and not think much about what is going to happen– said the Roman tennis player – It’ very important to have concentration on what I am doing, especially when I am playing. I knew it would be a complex debut match against a top 30" player.
"In the Slams we all give a little bit more – Matteo confessed – then we had to adapt to the conditions. During the match I was able to answer all the questions and doubts I might have, so I am happy because I was solid in the moments when I had to hold and aggressive when I had to put him under, I am happy with this performance".
"I was thinking not to think: I was trying to let my instincts follow me, especially against players like him who offer me very tight balls especially on the backhand side if you stay so much thinking then later you lose the right moment. I used to tell myself, 'just hit where you feel, then think about gaining court'. In my best moments things came instantaneously because there’s work behind it. With thought comes instinct, and I am doing a great job on that. I am finding good feelings and the right mechanisms, I am also recognizing the perceptions I had in the past. Life è always different, now I face this period with a few matches with more lived behind. I have to be in the moment, without being chasing all the time: I play one match, I play another and gradually build something. Every once in a while I have to stop and look in the mirror: è my seventh US Open, I am having fun, despite all the blows I have received I am still here“.
"Winning the Slam title would be winning a Slam even if it was 2 out of 3. I think forò the Major would lose some of its charm if the matches were shortened: the most beautiful and most exciting matches I have played are those 3 out of 5 and these are the matches that make the sport even more special. I do not set myself any limits for this tournament: I am serene and I can do anything. I have experienced moments when I did not like doing the profession I do and now that I am regaining this feeling for me è it is important for me to enjoy all the sensations" concluded the blue.
