"Good physically" - Berrettini on first win since injury comeback

Thursday, 09 June 2022 at 18:30

It was far from a perfect match for Matteo Berrettini but the Italian go the job done by winning against Radu Albot in round one.

Berrettini underwent surgery on his right hand after the Indian Wells Open in March and, after initially hoping to be fit for the French Open, he missed nearly three months’ action. However, all that was put to one side as he made his comeback with a second-round victory over Radu Albot at the BOSS Open on Wednesday.

The Italian dominated the first set with two breaks of serve, but Albot pegged him back in the second set as one break took it to a decider. Berrettini then broke midway through the first set before serving it out for a 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 win. Speaking after the match, he said:

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“I feel good, physically especially. I didn’t take it for granted that I was stepping out and feeling good, especially after a surgery. I’ve never had one [before]. I’m really happy, I played three sets, so I’m feeling good.”

He further added:

“Obviously it wasn’t easy, especially mentally. When you’re not playing a lot, you lose the rhythm a little bit. That’s why I struggled a little bit in the second set, but in the first games in the third I fought hard. I felt like I had to be there, I had to fight, and I’m happy to be through.”