Matteo Berrettini finally won his first title after 665 days. He defeated defending champion Roberto Carballes Baena in straight sets (7-5, 6-2) on Sunday to clinch the Marrakech Open title. After the match, he thanked all who helped him overcome the problems he had been facing in the past years.
The 2021 Wimbledon runner-up was out of the top 100 after failing to win any titles in two years. He last won a title at the Queen’s Club in 2022.
Matteo Berrettini (Image via Imago)
This also made him the first Italian at the Marrakech Open since 2006 to win a title. After his win, he said he was grateful for the support system that allowed him to play his best after missing six months due to an ankle injury.
I want to thank my team and these two guys. But I have a big team back home that is watching. Thank you guys. It's been tough the last few years. Thanks to them, I was able to overcome all the tough moments. My body wasn't allowing me to play. Thanks to these guys and the ones back home, I'm here.Matteo Berrettini said at the trophy ceremony
Berrettini, who climbed 50 spots to stand at No. 84, further added that dealing with injuries made him think he couldn’t make a comeback. He also thanked his family and wished his uncle a happy birthday.
Thanks to my family who are watching. Happy birthday to my uncle. It's his birthday today. All the people that made my comeback possible.Matteo Berrettini added
Matteo Berrettini will next face Miomir Kecmanovic at the Monte- Carlo Masters
The Monte-Carlo Masters in Monaco have started, and Matteo Berrettini, who has been given the main draw wildcard, is set to play his first match on Tuesday (April 9). He will face Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic in the round of 64.
The two locked horns just once, the result of which came in the Serbian’s favor in three sets. That encounter was in the fourth round of the 2022 Indian Wells.
The Monte Carlos Masters will be the fourth tournament the Italian will play since his six-month absence. After making his comeback at the Phoenix Challenger, he played at the Miami Open before clinching the trophy at the Marrakech Open.
