Matteo Berrettini won his first-round match at the French Open on May 22, 2026, beating Marton Fucsovics 6-7(2), 7-5, 6-1, 6-2 in his first appearance at Roland Garros since 2021 [1, 2]. The 26-year-old Italian, once ranked as high as world number six, is currently ranked 105th after years plagued by fitness issues and missed tournaments [1, 2].
Berrettini has not appeared in eight of the last 18 Grand Slam events since he was runner-up to Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon five years ago, reflecting ongoing battles with injury and recovery [1, 2]. He revealed he has dealt with injuries since he was 12, saying, "Those who know me since I was a kid know I've been getting injured since I was 12, basically. It's a part of who I am" [2].
Despite the setbacks, Berrettini embraces the mental challenge. "I'm a little bit psycho. I like to compete. I like to put myself in situations where most people would struggle ... I like to compete. I like to have fun with it. I like to win as many matches as possible," he said [1].
Berrettini will face Arthur Rinderknech in the French Open second round [1, 2]. His current ranking may not be sufficient for direct entry into Wimbledon 2026, one of his favorite tournaments, meaning he might have to qualify or hope for a wild card. "My agent is here. I don't know if he's going to ask for a wild card, but I don't think they're going to give me one. We'll see. If I get in, I get in. Otherwise, I'll play the qualifiers," Berrettini said [1].
Italy's top-ranked player remains Jannik Sinner, while Berrettini works on his return to form after years of injury troubles [1, 2].
The next major challenge for Berrettini comes in June at Wimbledon, where he aims to regain ground in the sport's biggest events [1, 2].