Berrettini, this trip we never, ever expected: this changes everything, now what?
The good news is that he’s back on social media. And when Matteo Berrettini logs on to Instagram, by and large, it means he’s doing better. That something good is finally about to happen and that he is eager to communicate it to his very large number of followers. When, however, he chooses the path of silence, it is never a good sign.
We learned this over time and to our cost, but so be it. We now know, at the very least, that the fact that he has posted so much content in the past few hours is symptomatic of an imminent comeback. And indeed, in the videos and photos he has posted on his profile we see him grappling with racket and ball, as well as with the sun and the pool. He pushes, he is fast and accurate, and this gives us hope about the quality of his performance when he finally returns to the stages to which he was accustomed.
Especially since on his return he will find waiting for him not a concrete or red clay court, but an expanse of grass, which we know is far more congenial to the Roman tennis player’s game. It’s just too bad that, in this idyllic picture, a few pieces seem to be missing. The puzzle, unfortunately, is not yet complete.
No place for Berrettini
The interlude on grass will begin next June 10 in Stuttgart, the host city of the Boss Open as it is known. Berrettini restarted his ride from there in 2022, which was interrupted by hand surgery that precluded him from playing the season on clay. He returned after months of stop and won the trophy, only to repeat a few days later at Queen’s.
It was to be expected that he would start there again this time, but there is no sign of Matthew on the tournament entry list, much less in the main draw, because of his current ranking. At the moment, there is also no news of a wild card being awarded to him, so the possibility that the 2021 Wimbledon finalist might be featured in the Baden-Württemberg state capital is slim to none.
Which strikes us as odd for two reasons: first, because the season on grass is so short that it would be a shame to miss the inaugural event; second, because Boss is the brand that dresses him and it is unfortunate to think that his sponsor has turned its back on him, denying him a wild card. Provided, of course, that it could still happen in the coming hours and that the games, fortunately, are not yet completely closed.