World Number eight tennis player Matteo Berrettini was quarantining in Boca Raton, Florida. He spent fruitful time with his girlfriend Ajla Tomljanovic. The couple got to know each other better during the tour’s suspension. They are always traveling and playing professional tennis and the break helped them to experience something different. 

The top-ranked Italian player Berrettini reflected on how the pandemic helped them to build their relationship. And also it has brought them closer than before.

 “It was nice to spend a lot of time with Ajla. We were not used to this situation, because we met only occasionally. It was not always easy, but it was very positive. We have trained together. We have a different mentality. I am more relaxed. She has a more serious approach. When I joked too much, Alja got angry. This experience has made us grow,” Berrettini told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“We have to move on and stay united” – Matteo Berrettini on the pandemic in Italy 

Matteo’s home-country, Italy is one of the worst-hit nations by the coronavirus pandemic. And mentally it was difficult for him to digest everything that was happening in Europe.

“Italy suffered a lot from the coronavirus crisis. I have always been in touch with my family and I know how hard this situation was. We cannot give up. We have to move on and stay united. This is the key to restart,” said Berrettini. As for now, he has not planned the date to return to Italy.

Matteo’s favorite tournament, Italian Open‘s organizers announced good news for tennis fans. Despite the tour being suspended and numerous tournaments being canceled, they are diligently working to host their event in between US Open and Roland Garros. “It would be nice to play at the Internazionali d’Italia in Rome. It’s the home tournament for me and I am very fond of this event,” he said.

In 2019, after reaching the semifinals of the US Open, he became the first Italian man to win a match at the ATP Finals by defeating Dominic Thiem in his third match.