Matteo Berrettini, once a Wimbledon finalist and top-10 stalwart, is now at a crossroads. After defeating Novak Djokovic in Doha earlier this year — a win that reignited hope in fans — he’s since withdrawn from the U.S. Open and struggled to recapture momentum. Something bigger is at play, and the full story is gutting, revealing, and may define the rest of his legacy.
🎯 The High That Raised Expectations
In February 2025, Berrettini stunned the tennis world by beating Djokovic 7-6 (4), 6-2 in Doha. It was his first victory over the Serb in five attempts and signified that the Italian was far from done.The match gave fans and pundits renewed hope that he could recapture his former form — that Berrettini, plagued by injury and inconsistency, might be poised for a comeback.
⚠️ The Cracks Start to Show
But the momentum didn’t last. In August, Berrettini officially withdrew from the U.S. Open, citing injury concerns. The withdrawal was a devastating blow — not just to his season, but to his reputation. It marked the third time in four years he’s missed multiple Grand Slams.
His absence from the court is more than just a physical issue. Critics and former players alike are sounding alarms. Italian tennis great Paolo Bertolucci warned that it will be “very tough for him to return to the highest level,” pointing to Berrettini’s prolonged layoffs, rust, and the deep competition in men’s tennis.
💔 The Pressure of the Comeback Gambit
On September 11, Berrettini announced he would return to competition at the Hangzhou Open — his first tournament since Wimbledon. It’s a brave move, but for many it feels like a desperation play. After months of inactivity, how strong can he realistically be? The hard courts won’t cut him any slack.
He enters Hangzhou ranked around 57 in the world. He skipped the Swiss Open and Kitzbühel, where he was the defending champion, opting instead to recover and rebuild. The question is: has time and injury already taken too much from him?
🔍 The Real Battle Isn’t on Court
This isn’t just about matches lost. It’s about identity, legacy, and whether someone who used to dominate courts with serve and forehand can adapt into a version of himself that belongs in the modern, brutal ATP.
Fans are watching to see if he can survive injury setbacks, regain confidence, and prove that his Doha triumph was more than a flash in the pan. Yet with every withdrawal, every rust-laden match, and every doubter’s whisper, the pressure mounts.
