Matteo Berrettini consoles Jannik Sinner

The words of Matteo Berrettini in the press conference

Matteo Berrettini spoke at a press conference at the Foro Italico: "È nice to come back to Rome. È so much has changed. I found everything improved, but the ’energy è still the same. È nice to find the cheering and that energy that I è missed so much in the last few years. Today è it was more of a finish. I haven’t been able to train much in the last period and I’m here becauseé we are in Rome".

"I am trying in every way to play, becauseé it has been three years and I missed it so much – added the Roman tennis player – I am trying hard. È it was a very complex preparation for the tournament and I am trying. I would have liked to arrive in different conditions".

Berrettini will make his debut against Stefano Napolitano in the first round of the Rome Masters 1000: "We have known each other for a long time, we are more or less the same age". It will be a complex match for both of us. I have not played for three years here and he is doing well. For an Italian it è never easy to play in Rome. The ranking differences don’t matter when you play here. We have also written lately and I am glad he is finding continuity ".

So he sent a message to Jannik Sinner, a big absentee at the Internazionali d'Italia due to a hip injury: "The tournament loses so much. È definitely the big absentee, but I think he is right. Unfortunately, I have been in his shoes and I know what it is like to miss this tournament. I know he will come back as a star player in the coming years and I hope he recovers soon. The tournament took a big hit, but that è sport. È important to take care of your body and I hope to embrace it soon in person".

"What can I recommend to Jannik? Good question. Each of us è different. What personally è happened to me è that in my career I always suffered injuries, even as a kid. I didn’t have the energy to come back at a certain point. I was exhausted. To start wondering 'can I play' and not 'how am I going to play' è tough. For him maybe è it&#39s different. I think he is followed very well and injuries are part of tennis. He has to think about his future and he made the right choice. È an example for me and for everyone else" concluded Berrettini.