Matteo Berrettini Injury: How Years of Setbacks Led to a Remarkable French Open Comeback

For much of the past five years, Matteo Berrettini’s career has been defined as much by injuries as by his powerful serve and thunderous forehand. Once considered one of the brightest stars in men’s tennis after reaching the Wimbledon final in 2021, the Italian spent years battling physical setbacks that repeatedly interrupted his momentum and pushed him down the rankings.

Now, at the 2026 French Open, Berrettini has produced one of the most inspiring comeback stories in tennis. His run to the quarter-finals at Roland Garros has not only revived his career but also highlighted the resilience required to overcome the physical and mental challenges that accompany long-term injuries.

From Wimbledon Finalist to Injury Struggles

When Berrettini reached the Wimbledon final in 2021, many expected him to become a permanent fixture among the sport’s elite. The Italian possessed one of the most dangerous serves on tour and a game perfectly suited for the biggest stages.

However, shortly after that breakthrough period, injuries began to take a heavy toll.

According to reports from Roland Garros, Berrettini has spent years dealing with what was described as a “catalogue of injury issues.” The physical problems repeatedly interrupted his seasons and made it difficult for him to build consistency.

The impact was significant. After reaching a career-high ranking of world number six in 2022, Berrettini gradually slid down the rankings as injuries and fitness concerns limited his opportunities to compete regularly. By the time he arrived in Paris in 2026, he was ranked world number 105.

His injury troubles also forced him to miss six of the next 13 Grand Slam tournaments following his 2022 US Open quarter-final appearance.

The Mental Toll of Injury

Physical rehabilitation was only part of the challenge.

Throughout his recovery journey, Berrettini has spoken openly about the emotional difficulties of repeatedly trying to return to competition. The uncertainty of whether his body would respond, combined with the frustration of setbacks, created some of the most difficult moments of his career.

Reflecting on that period, Berrettini admitted:

“There were moments it was really tough to come back and hit a ball… But now I’m back and it’s thanks to them (his team), my character and my resilience.”

He also revealed how important his support network became during those struggles:

“I was lucky enough to have people around me that helped me to find the kind of energy, to find the positive vibes, the positive thoughts, which is not easy to find when you’re in the darkness a little bit, when things are not coming your way and you’re struggling just to hit a few balls or just struggling to compete.”

Those comments offer a rare glimpse into the psychological burden many injured athletes face. Returning to elite sport is not simply about recovering physically; it also requires rebuilding confidence and trust in the body.

A Historic Return at Roland Garros

The 2026 French Open has become the stage for Berrettini’s resurgence.

After years away from the latter stages of Grand Slam tournaments, the Italian stormed into his first major quarter-final since the 2022 US Open. He defeated Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo in straight sets, winning 6-3, 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (8/6).

The achievement carried additional significance because Cerundolo had previously stunned world number one Jannik Sinner earlier in the tournament.

For Berrettini, the victory represented far more than another win.

“This (tennis) is the love of my life, I guess, otherwise I wouldn’t keep coming back after all the setbacks, the injuries,” he said.

The result made him the lowest-ranked men’s quarter-finalist at Roland Garros since Igor Andreev in 2007.

Signs That the Body Is Finally Holding Up

One of the most encouraging aspects of Berrettini’s French Open run has been the evidence that his body is once again capable of enduring the physical demands of Grand Slam tennis.

Before facing Cerundolo, Berrettini survived the longest match of his professional career. In a dramatic third-round battle against Francisco Comesana, he saved two match points and emerged victorious after more than five hours on court.

Historically, such a marathon encounter might have raised concerns about how his body would recover.

Instead, Berrettini returned to the court looking fresh and powerful, showing little sign of fatigue as he advanced to the quarter-finals. This performance suggested that years of rehabilitation and conditioning work may finally be paying off.

A New Perspective at Age 30

Perhaps the most important development in Berrettini’s comeback is not physical but mental.

At 30 years old, he appears to have developed a healthier perspective on competition and setbacks.

Reports from Roland Garros indicate that Berrettini has accepted that losses are part of professional sport and no longer sees them as career-defining failures. Combined with the realization that he can still compete at the highest level despite a body that has endured years of wear and tear, this outlook has renewed his belief in his future.

Speaking after one of his victories, Berrettini explained:

“That’s why I feel like this, because from the very first point until the last, I was there, I was enjoying, I was talking good to myself. This is what tennis means for me, being pumped, happy and ready to compete.”

The comments reveal an athlete who has rediscovered joy in the sport after years of frustration.

Italy’s Unexpected Tennis Success Story

Berrettini’s resurgence has also become part of a broader Italian success story at Roland Garros.

Despite the early exit of world number one Jannik Sinner, Italy celebrated a historic achievement by placing three men in the quarter-finals: Matteo Berrettini, Matteo Arnaldi, and Flavio Cobolli. It marked the first time in the Open Era that three Italian men reached the quarter-finals of the same Grand Slam tournament.

Berrettini’s quarter-final showdown with fellow Italian Matteo Arnaldi guaranteed at least one Italian semi-finalist, adding another chapter to a remarkable tournament for Italian tennis.

What Berrettini’s Comeback Means for Tennis

Berrettini’s journey resonates because it reflects a reality faced by many professional athletes.

Injuries can derail careers, damage confidence, and create uncertainty about the future. Yet his story demonstrates that elite competitors can rebuild themselves even after years of setbacks.

His return also serves as a reminder that rankings do not always reflect talent. Although he entered Roland Garros ranked outside the top 100, Berrettini remains one of the most accomplished players in the field, with a Wimbledon final appearance and multiple ATP titles on his résumé.

Most importantly, his comeback shows the value of persistence.

While many players might have walked away after repeated injuries and missed tournaments, Berrettini continued to fight through rehabilitation, recovery programs, and difficult returns to competition.

Looking Ahead

The future remains uncertain, as it does for any athlete with a long injury history. Tennis remains physically demanding, and maintaining health over a full season will continue to be a challenge.

However, the signs from Paris are overwhelmingly positive.

Berrettini has proven that he can once again compete deep into Grand Slam tournaments. His body appears stronger, his confidence has returned, and his perspective on the sport has evolved.

Whether or not he ultimately wins a major title, his 2026 French Open campaign already stands as one of the year’s most compelling comeback stories.

For a player who once described injury recovery as a period of “darkness,” reaching the quarter-finals of Roland Garros is far more than a tournament result—it is evidence that perseverance can eventually lead back into the light.