Berrettini is back! 'So happy' with Phoenix Challenger win

Matteo Berrettini returned from his six-month injury layoff in winning fashion Tuesday, when he rallied past Frenchman Hugo Gaston 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 in the opening round of the ATP Challenger Tour 175 event in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Italian overcame early forehand errors before finding more rhythm from the baseline to advance after one hour, 40 minutes. The former No. 6 in the PIF ATP Rankings struck 10 aces and won 34 of his 41 first-serve points in his first match since last year’s US Open, where he suffered an ankle injury that forced him to shut down his 2023 season.

“I’m just so happy. It’s been 10 years!” Berrettini joked about his layoff during his on-court interview. “It was so long. It’s been almost seven months since my last match. I’m so happy that I was able to play, that’s what I told myself after I lost the first [set]. I was just appreciating the fact that I could play, so I’m really happy that I got the win.”

^{Matteo Berrettini signs autographs after his first-round win at the Arizona Tennis Classic. Credit: Mike Lawrence}

The 2021 Wimbledon finalist will next meet eighth seed Arthur Cazaux or Australian Adam Walton. Competing at the Arizona Tennis Classic as a wild card, the 27-year-old will hope to relive his 2019 title run at the Phoenix Country Club.

“I have great memories winning the title here, such a nice country club. I’m glad that I started the season here, hopefully I’m going to have many more matches here,” said Berrettini, who will play again Thursday.

Fans can tune into Challenger TV to watch all ATP Challenger Tour matches live and on demand at no cost. Phoenix top seed Christopher Eubanks will meet World No. 99 Thanasi Kokkinakis on Wednesday.

Matteo Berrettini is back... and winning 💪

The former world No. 6 claims his first victory since August, ousting Gaston 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 in Phoenix#ATPChallenger | @aztennisclassic pic.twitter.com/QpQ9eno4bq

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) March 13, 2024