In a disappointing but familiar development, Italian tennis star Matteo Berrettini has announced his withdrawal from Roland Garros 2025 due to injury. It’s another setback in a string of health issues that have plagued his career over the last few seasons. Yet, despite the latest blow, the 28-year-old remains optimistic—already setting his sights on the grass court swing, where he’s historically thrived.
With Roland Garros underway, the absence of Berrettini—a player with Grand Slam finalist credentials and a ferocious forehand—leaves a void not just for Italian tennis fans, but for the broader ATP field. But make no mistake: Berrettini isn’t disappearing. He’s recalibrating. This latest chapter might just be the prelude to a resurgent summer.
The Breaking News: Berrettini Withdraws
The announcement came through Berrettini’s social media, in typically classy and composed fashion. In a short post, he expressed his sadness at having to miss Roland Garros 2025, emphasizing that while he loves competing in Paris, he’s not at a level where he can challenge the best physically. More importantly, he revealed that he’s already “preparing for the grass season.”
That phrase—already preparing—spoke volumes. Berrettini isn’t succumbing to despair. He’s thinking ahead, with purpose.
Injury Woes: A Continuing Theme
If there’s one narrative that has followed Berrettini throughout his promising yet turbulent career, it’s injuries. The Italian has battled abdominal tears, wrist issues, and multiple physical niggles that have kept him out of action just when momentum was building. At one point, he missed several months after undergoing surgery, and his comeback trails have often been stop-start.
In 2024, Berrettini showed signs of resurgence, but consistency eluded him. Every time he seemed ready to climb back into the ATP Top 20, a setback would knock him back. In 2025, things had started brightly, but his absence from the clay season and now Roland Garros signals another uphill climb.
Why Roland Garros Matters to Berrettini
Although he’s known more for his prowess on faster surfaces—especially grass and hard courts—Roland Garros has always been special to Berrettini. As a European player and one who grew up on clay, he has deep ties to the surface. His quarterfinal appearance in Paris in 2021, where he pushed Novak Djokovic to four tough sets, remains a career highlight.
Missing the French Open doesn’t just sting because of ranking points or prize money; it’s a symbolic loss. Roland Garros is a proving ground, and for a player trying to re-establish himself among the elite, the timing couldn’t be worse.
But perhaps, for Berrettini, it’s also strategic.
Turning Toward Grass: Where He Truly Shines
Few players are as dangerous on grass as Matteo Berrettini. His booming serve, flat backhand slice, and forehand drive are tailor-made for the slick lawns of Queen’s Club and Wimbledon. It’s no surprise that his most iconic run came at Wimbledon 2021, when he reached the final before falling to Novak Djokovic in four sets.
Since then, he has been touted as one of the few players with the weapons to dominate the short but intense grass court swing. In fact, Berrettini has a superb record at Queen’s and Stuttgart, two of the key lead-up events to Wimbledon, and he was considered a dark horse favorite every year—health permitting.
That last part is key.
His decision to begin grass court preparations early suggests two things: (1) he’s serious about Wimbledon 2025, and (2) he’s banking on a surface that rewards explosiveness and instinct over long rallies and grinding defense. It’s a smart bet.
Mental Fortitude: Berrettini’s Underrated Asset
While the headlines often focus on his injuries or his model-like appearance (he is the face of multiple fashion campaigns), Berrettini’s greatest asset might be his mental resilience. Many players with his medical record would have burned out, quit, or faded into obscurity. But not Matteo.
Each time he’s been sidelined, he’s fought back. Whether it was returning from surgery to win matches on the ATP Challenger Tour to rebuild his rhythm, or grinding out five-setters in Grand Slams despite obvious discomfort, Berrettini embodies the type of resolve that fans admire and opponents respect.
There’s a reason his fanbase continues to grow. He’s not just a tennis player; he’s a comeback story waiting to peak.
Italian Tennis at a Crossroads
Berrettini’s withdrawal also has implications for Italian tennis. With Jannik Sinner emerging as a bonafide Top 5 talent and Lorenzo Musetti hovering with flair and potential, Italy’s tennis boom is in full swing. But Berrettini remains a vital figure—both as a Grand Slam finalist and as a charismatic, emotionally resonant presence.
When he plays, he carries the hopes of fans who’ve seen him sweat and bleed for every point. His absence at Roland Garros shifts attention squarely onto Sinner and Musetti, but it also highlights what Italy is missing—Berrettini’s firepower and finesse.
What to Expect on Grass
Looking ahead, Berrettini’s decision to focus on the grass season could pay massive dividends. The grass calendar is compact, with only a few weeks of preparation before Wimbledon. If he’s healthy, he can enter tournaments like Queen’s Club, Halle, and/or Stuttgart to gain match sharpness.
And let’s be clear: a healthy Berrettini is a Wimbledon contender. His serve is one of the most effective on the tour. His net play, once a liability, has improved dramatically. His mental toughness in tight tiebreaks and best-of-five situations is formidable. And above all, he believes on grass. That belief alone is half the battle.
A Story Still Being Written
The narrative arc of Berrettini’s career hasn’t followed a linear path. Unlike peers like Daniil Medvedev or Alexander Zverev, he hasn’t maintained a consistent Top 10 presence. Injuries have been a cruel antagonist. Yet there’s an undeniable feeling that his story isn’t finished.
He’s not yet 30. He’s experienced the highest highs and lowest lows. And if his Instagram post is any indication, he’s gearing up for one more surge—one more battle with fate, the field, and perhaps himself.
Fans who have followed his journey know that the Berrettini story is less about the trophies he’s lifted and more about the ones he’s still chasing. His physical beauty is often remarked upon, but his career is beautiful for another reason: it’s real, flawed, and full of fight.
Social Media Reaction: Support and Hope
Tennis Twitter lit up with messages of support after his withdrawal was announced. Many fans, though disappointed, voiced their hope that he’ll come back stronger. Several top ATP players even commented words of encouragement, reflecting the respect Berrettini commands in the locker room.
It’s rare to find a player who blends athleticism, humility, and grace under pressure quite like him. Even when not playing, Berrettini remains a major talking point—and that says something about his star power.
Final Serve: The Grass Season Beckons
As the clay dust settles in Paris, Matteo Berrettini turns his eyes to greener pastures—literally. His decision to prioritize health over short-term glory might just be the smartest move he could make. After all, a strong grass court run could redefine his season and relaunch his career.
There’s no guarantee in tennis. Form is fleeting. Injuries are cruel. But if there’s one thing Matteo Berrettini has taught us, it’s to never count him out.
So when the grass courts bloom and the rhythm of serve-and-volley play begins again, keep an eye out. The Italian hammer might just be ready to strike once more.
Because this isn’t the end of the Berrettini story. It’s the beginning of its next—and perhaps most thrilling—chapter.
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