Matteo Berrettini: Sinner can go back to back at Aus Open 2025
Matteo Berrettini says countryman Jannik Sinner can win the Aus Open again, while revealing his own hopes to “go deep” in the slam and why fans should be excited about a new tennis format he’s part of.
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Former Australian Open semi-finalist Matteo Berrettini has backed countryman Jannik Sinner to go back to back in Melbourne this year.
World No.1 Sinner, of Italy, defeated Daniil Medvedev in five sets to claim the 2024 Australian Open men’s title – his first grand slam win.
“He loves to play in these kinds of conditions, he helped us with the Davis Cup again (in November),” Berrettini said.
“The (AO) field is strong – Carlos (Alcaraz) is hungry, Novak (Djokovic) is always there. A lot of players want to lift this trophy. He’s going to have to fight.
“But he’s proved he’s the best player in the world right now.”
Berrettini – who will line up in the Australian debut of fast-paced tennis tournament Red Bull Bassline on January 7, as part of AO Opening Week, presented by the Herald Sun – is also expecting to “go deep” himself.
The former world No.6 has struggled with injuries in recent years, including having to withdraw from the 2024 Australian Open.
But he told the Herald Sun he was “excited to be back” at the happy slam, having put in “a lot of work” physically and mentally.
“All the struggles brought me to the conclusion that I really wanted to play tennis,” Berrettini said. “So I worked really hard to come back.
“Hopefully this year is going to be full of matches and joy, without struggling with injuries.”
Step one is playing in Red Bull Bassline, which will light up Rod Laver Arena from 7pm.
Attendees won’t hear the words “quiet please” – quite the opposite – with no umpires on court, a DJ pumping music throughout play and Aussie tennis legend Dylan Alcott MCing.
“We ask the crowd to be loud,” added Berrentini, who is participating alongside Australia’s Alexei Popyrin, Norway’s Casper Ruud, Denmark’s Holger Rune, Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan and Japan’s Kei Nishikori. Ugo Humbert was originally slated to appear, but has had to withdraw.
“They’re going to have fun. We talk to the other players during the matches, we make fun of each other, it’s really entertaining.”
The players will face off in best-of-three tie-break matches that last from 10 to 25 minutes. Umpiring calls are made by line assistant technology, with the onus on players to sort out any disputes.
Berrentini – who played a Bassline event in Vienna last year – said while the format encouraged fun, it also presented plenty of challenges.
“The matches are so short, so you’ve got to be ready to play, you can’t let points go and you always have to be focused,” he said. “But I think it’s perfect preparation for a grand slam.”
Tickers are on sale via Ticketmaster, and include access to a 4pm charity match between Popyrin and Sinner.
Meanwhile, wet weather on the first day of AO Opening Week largely confined fans to open practice sessions on Rod Laver Arena, where Australian world No.9 Alex de Minaur, Greek favourite Stefanos Tsitsipas and 2024 Aus Open runner-up Qinwen Zheng were among the stars tuning up.
Qualifying matches on outside courts were delayed until 4pm due to the downpour, with several having to be rescheduled.
The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting more tennis-friendly conditions – with temperatures between 25-35C and minimal chance of rain – for the remainder of AO Opening Week, which runs until January 11 with ground passes costing $15 for adults and $10 for kids.
AO OPENING WEEK, PRESENTED BY THE HERALD SUN
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS
Charity match, Rod Laver Arena – 4pm: Jannik Sinner vs. Alexei Popyrin
Red Bull Bassline, RLA – 7pm: Alexei Popyrin, Matteo Berrentini, Casper Ruud, Holger Rune, Kei Nishikori and Ugo Humbert
Open Practice, RLA
Aussies in AO qualifying matches, outside courts
Grand Slam Oval Fan Stage – from 12-6pm
REST OF THE WEEK
JANUARY 8
Charity matches – Qinwen Zheng vs. Elina Svitolina, Alex de Minaur vs. Carlos Alcaraz
JANUARY 9
AO draw with 2024 champions Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka
AO 1 Point Slam amateurs vs. pros tournament
Charity matches – Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Alexander Zverev and others play mixed doubles, Night with Novak Djokovic
JANUARY 10
Charity matches – Carlos Alcaraz vs. Alexei Popyrin, Jannik Sinner vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas
JANUARY 11
Kids Tennis Day
JANUARY 12
AO main draw begins
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