Matteo Berrettini: Some Good News After So Much Bad Luck

After a difficult few months and several missed opportunities, Matteo Berrettini finally has some good news: the Roman tennis player will in fact earn a direct spot in the main draw of the ATP 500 in Tokyo, which begins on September 30, without having to go through the dreaded qualifying rounds.

The turning point came thanks to the organizers’ decision to grant one fewer wild card than originally planned, thereby freeing up a spot in the main draw of the prestigious Japanese tournament and allowing the Italian to avoid an extra round that would have entailed further exertion and risks even in the days leading up to the start of the event.

This is a stroke of luck for Berrettini, who in recent years has often had to contend with injuries, forced breaks, and unfavorable circumstances. This time, however, circumstances have worked in his favor, allowing him to enter directly into the main draw of a tournament that will feature some of the best players on the circuit, from Carlos Alcaraz to Taylor Fritz, including Lorenzo Musetti and Ben Shelton.

For the Roman, however, what matters most is the final result. Entering the main draw directly means he can better plan his preparation, conserve precious energy, and immediately focus on potential first-round opponents. Luciano Darderi and Matteo Arnaldi will also be in Tokyo, rounding out an Italian contingent aiming to carve out an important role in the Asian tour, starting with the tournament in Japan’s capital.