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Berrettini 'on the right road' after loss in Wimbledon final

Posted July 11, 2021 7:00 am

By HOWARD FENDRICH

Italy's Matteo Berrettini reacts after losing a point to Serbia's Novak Djokovic during the men's singles final on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Sunday, July 11, 2021. (Pete Nichols/Pool Via AP) The Associated Press

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) - Matteo Berrettini's first Grand Slam final did not go as well as he hoped, of course, ending with a loss to No. 1-ranked Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon.

Still, Berrettini is sure Sunday's title match won't be his last at a major tournament.

'œI went on court knowing that his strengths counteract my strengths. I knew I probably - no, definitely - needed to play a better match than I played today,'ť said Berrettini, a 25-year-old from Italy who was seeded seventh at the All England Club. 'œI don't think I'm saying something crazy if I say that he likely was the only player ... who could have beaten me in this tournament.'ť

Djokovic's 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 victory at Centre Court earned him a sixth championship at Wimbledon and 20th overall at a Slam, tying him with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for the most by a man in tennis history.

One key to the outcome: Djokovic's supremacy as a returner, which allowed him to prevent Berrettini from accumulating too many free points. Yes, he compiled 16 aces, but so many speedy deliveries that wound up as service winners against other opponents were put in play by Djokovic.

Berrettini finished with a 57-31 edge in total winners, but he also made 48 unforced errors, more than twice as many as Djokovic's 21.

'œI need to learn how to deal with things, especially emotionally. When you know you do something well, and you face someone who is always there - it's like he's not bothered by it - that's not easy to handle,'ť said Berrettini, who noted that the thick tape wrapped on his left thigh was not a big deal. 'œBut the experience will help me. I'm convinced I will play other finals. I'm not saying it'll happen at the next Slam, but I'm on the right road.'ť

The result ended an 11-match winning streak, which came entirely on grass courts.

That included a run to the title at the Queen's Club event in London last month. Berrettini became the first player making his debut there to take home the trophy since Boris Becker in 1985, the year he won the first of his three Wimbledon trophies.

When Berrettini arrived at the All England Club, he ran into Becker - who recognized him. That was a pleasant surprise for Berrettini.

The past fortnight, though, made him fully believe that he belongs on the sport's biggest stages and one day will have his name etched on its most important hardware.

'œObviously for me it's been unbelievable week, two weeks. But I know that I can do it,'ť Berrettini said. 'œI know that I can win this title. I'm not sure if I'm going to do it, but I know I can do it.'ť

Djokovic made clear he agrees.

'œI know it's not the best feeling, losing in the final, but I am sure there is a great career in front of you,'ť Djokovic told Berrettini during the trophy ceremony. 'œIt's just the beginning. I truly believe in that.'ť

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Serbia's Novak Djokovic, right, shakes hands with Italy's Matteo Berrettini after defeating him in the men's singles final on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Sunday, July 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) The Associated Press

Serbia's Novak Djokovic, left holds the winners trophy after he defeated Italy's Matteo Berrettini who holds his runners-up plate as they pose for a photograph following the men's singles final on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Sunday, July 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) The Associated Press

Italy's Matteo Berrettini watches Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, and the Duke of Kent arrive for the presentation ceremony for the men's singles final match on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Sunday, July 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) The Associated Press

Italy's Matteo Berrettini holds his runners-up trophy and speaks after the men's singles final match against Serbia's Novak Djokovic on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Sunday, July 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) The Associated Press

Italy's Matteo Berrettini holds his runners-up trophy at the end of the men's singles final match against Serbia's Novak Djokovic on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Sunday, July 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) The Associated Press

Serbia's Novak Djokovic, left, embraces Italy's Matteo Berrettini after he won the men's singles final on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Sunday, July 11, 2021. (Pete Nichols/Pool Via AP) The Associated Press

Fans cheer for Italy's Matteo Berrettini during the men's singles final match against Serbia's Novak Djokovic on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Sunday, July 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) The Associated Press

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