Berrettini on his first victory in Rome since 2021: "I felt a huge thrill"
Berrettini returned to the Roman crowd on the center court for the first time since his defeat to Tsitsipas in the third round in 2021. Facing Britain's Fearnley, he secured the win in just under two hours (6-4, 7-6). In the mixed zone after the match, the Italian shared his thoughts on how he experienced the encounter:
"It was a complicated match for a thousand reasons. I wasn’t focused on playing well, but on fighting and continuing to do what I love. I tried to serve well and play aggressively. I couldn’t expect too high a level from myself.
The emotion was intense, and the crowd really helped me. Physically, I’m fine. It was also a good test in that regard—I hadn’t spent that much time on the court in a while.
Mentally, I’m here. I really wanted to come back to Rome, a special place for me. It was crazy to see this crowd again. When I stepped onto the court, I felt this huge thrill. Then it happened again during the match. I enjoyed the victory until the very last point.
This is a tournament I always mark on my calendar, and I’ve never hidden that. It’s always nice to come back, to see people I know. Not playing here for all these years was tough. I missed coming back to the city where I grew up."
He will face Ruud, fresh off his Madrid title, in the next round.
