Matteo Berrettini has been named Comeback of the Player of the Year in the 2024 ATP Awards.
“I am just so happy to win the Comeback Player of the Year. Thank you very much for the support. It was a great season, a great effort for me and my team. Obviously I am so happy for the results that we achieved and I cannot wait to step on the court in 2025 for more success. Thanks again for the support. Without you guys, the fans, it would not be possible”, said Berrettini.
Berrettini missed the final months of the 2023 season and more than two months of the 2024 season after sustaining a serious ankle injury in the second round of the 2023 US Open against Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech. Berrettini was set to make his come-back at the Australian Open, but he was forced to withdraw from the first Grand Slam tournament of the year, he was forced withdraw due to a foot injury.
Under the guidance of his new coach Francisco Roig Berrettini reached the final at an ATP Challenger Tour in Phoenix in his first tournament back losing to Portugal’s Nuno Borges. He lost to Andy Murray in three sets in Miami.
Berrettini won the ATP title in the third tournament of his come-back and his first on clay in Marrakesh after six months on the sidelines. The Italian player matches against his compatriot Lorenzo Sonego and clay specialist Roberto Carballes Baena.
“It feels unbelievable. It feels like it was yesterday that I won my first title here six years ago, but a lot of matches and a lot of things happened. I am just so glad that I can keep playing and enjoying, and I think I found the energy of six years ago. This place is special for me”.
He was hampered by illness, but he returned from two two months on the sidelines by reaching the final at the Stuttgart Open on grass. Berrettini beat Denis Shapovalov and Lorenzo Musetti before finishing runner-up to Jack Draper.
During the summer clay season Berrettini reeled off 10 consecutive match wins to claim two back-to-back titles in Gstaad and Kitzbuhel. Berrettini, Wimbledon finalist in 2021, beat Frenchman Quentin Halys 6-3 6-1 after 59 minutes in the championships match.
Berrettini rose from a low of number 154 back into the top 40 in the ATP Ranking. “When you are not able to do your job and what you like to do, then it’s always a struggle. So I am really appreciating every moment that I have to spend on court, to perform and give my best. I know it’s a process. I did a great job this year, to build up again my ranking, I am feeling good”.
