Italian tennis star Matteo Berrettini has carved a formidable reputation on the ATP Tour, not just for his powerful serve and aggressive baseline play but also for the emotional intensity he brings to the court. Ranked as high as world number six, Berrettini’s career has been a compelling mix of soaring highs and challenging setbacks. This year, injuries forced him to miss two of tennis’s most prestigious events: Roland Garros and the US Open, moments that could have derailed a lesser competitor. Yet, Berrettini has channeled his frustration and anger from these setbacks into an incredible driving force, using them to fuel his determination and mental toughness.

In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports Insider, Berrettini candidly revealed how he transforms pain into motivation. A Latin phrase tattooed on his body, “Dolor utile tibi erit”—which translates to “The pain will be useful to you”—serves as his personal mantra. This philosophy helps him to see adversity not as defeat but as an opportunity for growth. “I realized that the kind of feelings of anger and frustration at missing a tournament or key moment of the season were an incredible driving force to come back and take back what was lost,” Berrettini explained. He stressed the necessity of channeling those emotions productively: “If channelled in the right direction, pain is a source of energy; it must be channelled or it will bring you down.”

Berrettini’s resilience is not just a reaction to injuries but a defining characteristic of his career trajectory. Rising through the junior ranks in Italy, Berrettini is part of a new wave of Italian men’s tennis talent who have elevated the country’s profile on the global stage. His breakthrough came in 2019 when he reached the semifinals of Wimbledon, becoming the first Italian man to do so in the Open Era. That performance introduced the tennis world to his powerful forehand and booming serve—his signature weapons.

However, the path hasn’t always been smooth. Berrettini has had to battle through physical challenges and moments of self-doubt. His serve, often considered one of the most dangerous on the tour, is complemented by his imposing height at 6 feet 5 inches, which gives him a striking presence on court and an advantage on faster surfaces. The injuries that sidelined him this year were certainly difficult, especially given that missing Grand Slam tournaments can severely impact rankings and momentum.

Yet, his return to competitive play at the ATP 500 tournament in Vienna reflects not only a physical recovery but a renewed mental focus. Facing opponent Alexei Popyrin in the first round, Berrettini has emphasized the importance of mastering his mental state. “When you’re angry or frustrated, you can’t let those emotions take over. You have to channel them into something positive,” he said, highlighting the maturity and growth in his approach to the psychological side of the game.

Historically, using negative emotions as fuel is not unique to Berrettini. Many champions—Rod Laver, Jimmy Connors, and more recently, Rafael Nadal—have cited anger or frustration as catalysts for some of their most intense and successful performances. What sets Berrettini apart is his conscious effort to not let these emotions spiral out of control but to harness them deliberately, a mindset that could be key to his next phase of success.

Berrettini’s journey is also a reflection of Italian tennis’s broader renaissance. For decades, Italian men were overshadowed on the world stage, but recent years have seen players like Fabio Fognini, Jannik Sinner, and Berrettini himself making deep runs in major tournaments and climbing the rankings. This surge has helped rekindle national enthusiasm for the sport and inspire younger generations.

As Berrettini steps back into competition, fans can expect a match filled with intensity, strategic grit, and that fiery spirit that has become a hallmark of his playing style. Whether his anger and frustration translate into victories remains to be seen, but his ability to convert these powerful emotions into focused energy promises exciting tennis ahead. With his serve as a reliable “ace-in-the-hole” and his mind sharpened by adversity, Berrettini looks poised to reclaim his position among the ATP’s elite players.

In the cutthroat world of professional tennis, where physical prowess and mental strength go hand in hand, Matteo Berrettini exemplifies the power of emotional resilience. Pain and frustration have not defeated him; instead, they have propelled him forward, turning obstacles into stepping stones on his road to success. As the ATP Tour progresses, fans will watch closely to see how this compelling blend of talent, intensity, and emotional wisdom shapes his next chapter.