Matteo Berrettini can't help but recall Rafael Nadal encounter after surviving Australian Open 1R scare

Matteo Berrettini (left) and Rafael Nadal (right), Matteo Berrettini (bottom center), Sources: Getty
Matteo Berrettini (left) and Rafael Nadal (right), Matteo Berrettini (bottom center), Sources: Getty

Matteo Berrettini revisited his semifinal clash against Rafael Nadal at the 2022 Australian Open. The Italian's recollection of his 2022 encounter with the legendary Spaniard in Melbourne came in the aftermath of his thrilling four-set win over Cameron Norrie in the first round of this year's Melbourne Major.

Berrettini lost the first set 6-7(4) against Norrie but bounced back superbly to clinch the next three sets 6-4, 6-1, 6-3, and seal his progress to the second round of the 2025 Australian Open. During his post-match, on-court interview, the former World No. 6 was reminded about his poor Australian Open head-to-head record against lefties before defeating the left-handed Norrie. Berrettini replied:

"It’s never easy. I remember losing against a pretty good lefty here some years ago."

The interviewer brought up the name of former World No. 1 Rafael Nadal. Matteo Berrettini said hi to the 22-time Major winner and also heartwarmingly acknowledged missing him on the tour.

"Yeah… we say hi to him and we miss him," Berrettini said.

In the 2022 Australian Open semifinals, Nadal dominated Berrettini across the first two sets, winning them 6-3, 6-2. However, the Italian fought back hard in the third and won it 6-3, taking the match to a decisive fourth set, where Nadal asserted his superiority and clinched it 6-3 to oust Berrettini from the tournament.

The Spaniard would eventually go on to win the 2022 Australian Open, remarkably coming back from two sets down against Daniil Medvedev to win his 21st Grand Slam title at the time. He would win his 22nd and last Major title at the 2022 French Open.

Ahead of his 2022 Australian Open semifinal against Nadal, Berrettini laid bare how it was his childhood dream to lock horns with the Spaniard at the iconic Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne Park.

Matteo Berrettini expressed his admiration for Rafael Nadal before Australian Open 2022 SF meeting

Matteo Berrettini (Source: Getty)
Matteo Berrettini (Source: Getty)

Matteo Berrettini was full of praise for Rafael Nadal before their 2022 Australian Open semifinal clash. At a press conference, he remembered cheering for the Spaniard growing up and his childhood dream to play against him at Rod Laver Arena.

"Oh, it's gonna be, I mean, great opportunity again for me. After two years and a half playing this guy that doesn't need anything more, from my words, for all I said, I watch him so many times in this tournament and other tournaments, cheering for him, and playing with him in Rod Laver in semifinals is something that I dreamed about when I was a kid," Berrettini said.

The 2022 Australian Open meeting marked the second and final clash between Berrettini and Nadal on the ATP Tour. The first one came in the semifinals of the 2019 US Open and finished in Nadal's favor.

What is the foot injury that has troubled Rafael Nadal over the years? Check here

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Edited by Samya Majumdar
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