French Open star Matteo Berrettini reveals 'key' to bouncing back from scary early retirement fears - 'Worst feeling ever'

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Matteo Berrettini said he doubted whether he would be able to continue his tennis career and that "it feels amazing" to be back by making a deep run at the French Open.

'Worst feeling in world' - Berrettini on emotional journey back to health at Roland-Garros

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The Italian, who reached the Wimbledon final in 2021 and reached a career-high rank of No. 6, made it into the quarter-finals of the French Open following Monday's straight-sets victory against Juan Manuel Cerundolo.

It is the first time Berrettini has appeared at Roland-Garros since 2021. He also made the final eight that year but repeated injuries in subsequent years kept him out of the clay major.

Berrettini has struggled to build any momentum in recent years, his returns often curtailed by new physical problems, but he now hopes he is here to stay - and will face compatriot Matteo Arnaldi for a place in the semi-finals.

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"It feels amazing," Berrettini told TNT Sports. "I'm happy, I'm proud of myself, proud of my team and the close ones that helped me come back once again.

"It's been a long time, it was 2021 that I was here in the quarter-finals. After that, I didn't play this tournament for four years in a row, so definitely too long, but I'm glad I was ready to play this year and it's good, so far it's good."

Prior to this year's French Open, Berrettini had not progressed beyond the second round of a Grand Slam since Wimbledon in 2023.

Highlights: Berrettini downs Cerundolo in straight sets to reach last eight

Video credit: TNT Sports

For a player who has reached the quarter-finals of major tournaments on six occasions, the effect of his injuries was clear and he said doubts had crept in over whether he would be able to continue his career.

"There was definitely a moment I doubted a bit - not about the level of my tennis but what if my body doesn't let me do it anymore," Berrettini said.

"This is the worst feeling ever. The will was there, I wanted to come back and play tennis, enjoy it out there, but if your body is telling you that you have pain or injuries and doctors telling you, 'You need to take time,' there's nothing you can do about it.

"I was patient enough, I was resilient and I kept thinking about that kid that started playing tennis and the reason I was playing tennis to enjoy, to have matches like today, and I'm here again. I guess that was the key."

Should Berrettini stay fit and carry his impressive form into the grass season - his strongest surface - he can expect to jump back up the men's rankings.

He did not play at last year's US Open and exited Wimbledon in the first round. As such, he will not be defending ranking points until mid-September and a summer resurgence could stand him in good stead to be back among the elite.

Men's tennis has undergone a sizeable transition during Berrettini's lengthy search for fitness, with the era dominated by Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer replaced by the duopoly of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz - among many other young players now emerging on tour.

Berrettini has noticed a big change in the sport but feels there are also elements to his own game that are now stronger than before.

"I do think some things I'm doing in a better way," he said. "Tennis is evolving so fast, now everybody can do anything.

'Back in the big time' - Berrettini beats Cerundolo to reach last eight

Video credit: TNT Sports

"Everybody is moving unbelievable, serving unbelievable, everyone can play at the net.

"When I started playing, I felt there were certain players that were playing good on certain surfaces, but they had holes in their games. Now everyone is really, really good.

"So I definitely improved my net game, I feel way more comfortable. On my backhand side I don't think I'm slicing as much as I used to do.

"It's important to mix it up but it's also important to hit it when you have to hit it, otherwise these guys are going to run over you like trucks."

A new men's Grand Slam champion is set to be crowned in Paris with Sinner, Djokovic and Alcaraz (who withdrew through injury) all out.

Should Berrettini capitalise to claim the title, it would surely stand as one of the greatest sporting comeback stories in recent history.

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