Matteo Berrettini fails to win the ATP 250 in Stuttgart for the third time in his career. In the final the Roman tennis player, fresh from a troubled season, surrendered to the British Jack Draper, comeback victorious in his first success in an ATP tournament. «This defeat will hurt me for a while but I have won and lost matches like this» says Berrettini at the end of the match, complimenting his opponent: «you played an incredible tournament and final. I am convinced that Jack will win many more tournaments.”
No “happy ending” for the Roman tennis player on the Stuttgart grass: the 28-year-old Roman, n.95 ATP, competing with the protected ranking, winner of the 2019 and 2022 editions, lost 3-6 7-6( 5) 6-4, after more than two hours of play, to the British left-handed Jack Draper, n.40 in the ranking and sixth seeding favourite. From tomorrow the 22-year-old from Sutton will rise to number 30 in the ranking (“best”), becoming the new number one in Great Britain.
TO Berrettini’s 14 aces were not enough (against 3 double faults) also because his opponent threw 12 of them (and 2 double faults), nor a higher percentage of first serves (68% against 64%) because Jack was superior both in terms of points won with the first serve (87% against 83%) and with the second serve (58 % versus 52%). The Italian saved 2 out of 3 break points, the British 3 out of 4. Berrettini, however, closed with more winners, 38 (compared to 13 free ones): 34 against 12 for Draper.
«I came very close to winning it, this defeat will hurt me for a while but I have won and lost matches like this – commented the Italian – I must of course say thanks to my team, only we know what we have been through, the ups and downs low, injuries: it’s all part of sport and life anyway.
The people who work with me have given me strength when I thought I had none, thank you. It’s just the first step in the grass season.”
Then the thanks “also to all those who followed the match from home, I’m sorry I didn’t satisfy you, but I read your messages, your comments: you are the best”.
Tomorrow a new chapter opens for Berrettini in Halle.
The Italian will make his debut against a qualifier in the run-up to Wimbledon in the first tournament that will see Jannik Sinner play as the No. 1 in the ranking.
