MILAN/STARNBERG, June 24, 2025
Jacopo Berrettini has never been in better form. For the first time in his career, he’s won two consecutive titles on the ITF World Tennis Tour, first in Cervia, then Cordoba, claiming 16 victories in his last 18 matches. As a result, the 26-year-old from Rome is set to achieve a new career-high ATP Ranking, projected to rise from World No. 310 to around No. 305.
“I still need to grind,” said Berrettini after advancing to the second round of the ASPRIA Tennis Cup – BCS Trophy ATP Challenger clay-court tournament in Milan, courtesy of Henri Squire’s retirement following a tight first-set tiebreak. “I didn’t realize he was struggling physically. He started with heavy kick serves, and I thought it was just tactical. He called the physio at 3-2, but kept playing well. I only sensed something was off at 5-4 when I couldn’t close it out easily.”
Fortunately, Berrettini secured the set in the breaker, after which Squire retired. It was a win that underlined Berrettini’s improved physical condition, just two days after surviving a grueling three-and-a-half-hour battle in the blazing Milan sun.
Overcoming Doubt, Rediscovering Purpose
Injuries have long plagued Berrettini’s career, causing extended absences and shaking his confidence.
“The worst part? Feeling like I wasn’t good enough—because physically, I couldn’t be,” he admits. “That feeling can be devastating. But I’m getting back what I lost. I think I deserve it—anyone who invests so much in something does.”
His resurgence coincides with a shift in his training environment. Last year, Berrettini left Rome to join the Tennis Training School in Foligno, directed by Fabio Gorietti. The move has proven transformative.
“It’s a healthy place, human first and foremost,” Berrettini says. “It’s not just the facilities—it’s the people. We breathe tennis, but in a clean, sincere way. Just the other day, a group of coaches and players went to cheer for one of our juniors at a local tournament. That’s the spirit here.”
Now coached primarily by Marco Miceli, a former doubles partner, Berrettini has found stability and motivation. “I’ve known Marco a long time, and we’re building something strong.”
Room to Grow: On Court and Off
Berrettini is aware that improvement goes beyond match results. He’s focused on refining his game, particularly his serve and net play.
“I’m working on three things,” he explains: “Building confidence in my abilities. Adding variation and more bite to my serve. Becoming more comfortable at the net. I enjoy it, and I have the skills, but I need to make it instinctive.”
Despite primarily playing on clay, around 65 per of his matches, Berrettini knows success on hard courts is essential.
“Clay feels like home, and in Italy, there are a lot of tournaments and wildcard opportunities. But it’s time to invest in hard courts too, because most of the tour is played there. I’m not 18 anymore—I need to balance gaining experience with earning points.”
A Broader Perspective on Tennis Life
Recently, fellow pro Taro Daniel sparked debate by pointing out that top players benefit from superior resources, including recovery tools and dedicated staff. Berrettini sees both sides.
“I understand his point. There’s a gap in support between the top and lower levels,” he says. “But I believe everyone earns what they get. I can’t afford a big staff, and probably neither can Daniel, but the best players deserve the perks they receive.”
He recalls playing ITF Futures events where the stringer delivered rackets mid-match, or didn’t at all. “Once I had to finish a match with a racket strung the previous week. But even at the Challenger level, I’ve had fantastic support, like the physios in Milan who helped me recover after a long match. These experiences fuel my hunger to reach the top.”
More than trophies or rankings, Berrettini is proud of how he carries himself.
“When people tell me, ‘well done—not just for playing well, but for how you behaved,’ it means the world to me. My parents raised me to respect others, and I take that seriously. I want to be remembered as a good person.”
Next Gen Duel: Vasamì Shines Against Santamarta Roig
The highly anticipated showdown between two of the brightest junior stars, Jacopo Vasamì and Andres Santamarta Roig (both born in 2007), lived up to the billing, even if not in flawless tennis.
The Italian No. 2 junior defeated the Spanish No. 1 in straight sets, 6-3, 7-5, showing flashes of the talent that make him one of the most exciting prospects in the game.
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Vasamì’s weapons were on full display, including a booming serve that clocked over 220 km/h and a fierce forehand down the line. He handled the pressure well, especially in crucial moments—saving three break points at 2-3 in the second set, and breaking for 6-5 after a nervy double fault by Santamarta Roig.
Still developing physically, the Spaniard showed moments of brilliance but struggled to control his nerves. Vasamì, more composed and tactically mature, impressed his coach Fabrizio Zeppieri with discipline and resilience. There’s work to do—such as avoiding foot faults—but the foundations are solid.
Next, Vasamì will face Croatian Mili Poljicak for a place in the quarterfinals.
Cecchinato Cruises; Other Italians Fall
Former Roland Garros semifinalist Marco Cecchinato made a strong start, easing past Spain’s Max Alcala Gurri 6-4, 6-1. Now ranked World No. 437, Cecchinato remains a threat on clay and will meet Frederico Ferreira Silva in the next round.
Elsewhere, it was a tough day for the Italian contingent. Giovanni Fonio lost a third-set tiebreak to Max Houkes, while Federico Bondioli and Stefano Travaglia were ousted in three sets by Thomas Faurel and Mili Poljicak respectively.
Job done
Mili Poljicak takes a 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 victory over Travaglia to advance into the second round in Milan#ATPChallenger | @AspriaTennisCup pic.twitter.com/SKj9X0yL91
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) June 24, 2025
