Berrettini: "A year ago, I wondered if I could play at a high level again".

Matteo Berrettini lost to Tallon Griekspoor in the first round of the ATP 500 Rotterdam on Wednesday.

In a press conference, he was keen to remain positive: "I arrived in Australia almost with the feeling that I still needed to recover a little, but fortunately the season is long.

This year, I can start by playing all the tournaments.

Let's hope I don't have to stop, because it's historically a period when I've never shone. The good thing is that I'm feeling good physically.

A year ago at this time, I was wondering whether I'd ever be able to play at a high level again, and whether my body would hold out.

We often tend to forget, especially me, all the hard work, the number of matches and the effort that goes into it.

It's hard to always ask for more: of course you always want to win, but you have to remember that the effort you put in carries weight.

A year ago, I would surely have signed up to be in these conditions, in good health and always in the main draw of the most important tournaments."