Matteo Berrettini: The Hammer and the Hope for a Grass-Court Renaissance
When Berrettini is healthy, his “Hammer” forehand and heavy slice backhand are tailor-made for grass. The slice stays incredibly low, forcing opponents to dig balls out of the dirt, usually setting up a massive finishing blow from his forehand side. For Matteo, the lawns of London and Stuttgart aren’t just surfaces—they are the stages where his power-game truly finds its rhythm.
2025: A Year of Grit and Italian Glory
The 2025 season was a rollercoaster for Berrettini, defined by a fierce determination to climb back up the rankings. After a 2024 that saw him win three titles during a brief resurgence, 2025 was about proving he could still compete with the world’s best.
The high point of his year wasn’t a solo trophy, but a shared one. Berrettini was a cornerstone of the “Unconquerable Italians,” leading Italy to a historic third consecutive Davis Cup title in November 2025. Going undefeated in his singles rubbers throughout the finals, he proved that when the pressure is at its peak, “The Hammer” still strikes true. Despite some mid-season injury setbacks—including an oblique issue that forced him to skip the French Open—he finished the year firmly inside the Top 60, setting the foundation for a massive 2026.
2026 Ambition: Reclaiming the Elite Circle
Matteo entered 2026 with a singular focus: returning to the Top 20. His start to the year in Australia was bittersweet; after showing flashes of his vintage form in exhibition matches, a sudden illness forced a late withdrawal from the Australian Open just hours before a blockbuster first-round clash with Alex de Minaur.
However, Berrettini’s camp has made it clear that the “Big Goal” for 2026 is the summer. He is a player who thrives on confidence, and there is no place he feels more confident than on the grass. His ambition is to move past the “injury-prone” labels of the last few seasons and reclaim his status as the most dangerous unseeded player in any draw.
The 2026 Grass-Court Roadmap
Berrettini’s summer schedule is a “Greatest Hits” tour of his favorite venues, designed to build the match toughness he needs for a deep run at Wimbledon:
- Exhibition Tournament: Bonmont, Switzerland (Early June): Before diving into the high-pressure ATP circuit, Matteo is expected to head to the stunning Domaine de Bonmont. This exclusive exhibition serves as the perfect low-stakes environment to test his “Hammer” forehand and movement on a pristine surface before the tour’s intensity ramps up.
- BOSS OPEN, Stuttgart (June 8–14): Berrettini has officially confirmed his return to the TC Weissenhof. As a two-time champion and global brand ambassador for BOSS, this tournament holds a special meaning for him. He will join Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe in a star-studded lineup where his thunderous serve is always a fan favorite.
- Queen’s Club Championships (June 15–21): A tournament he won back-to-back in 2021 and 2022. Expect Matteo to use the London lawns to sharpen that low-skidding slice.
- The Championships, Wimbledon (June 29 – July 12): The ultimate destination. As the first Italian man to ever reach a Wimbledon final, Berrettini views SW19 as his second home. If his body holds up through the warm-ups, he remains the “Dark Horse” that every seed will want to avoid.
