US OPEN

September 7, 2020

Matteo Berrettini

Press Conference

A. RUBLEV/M. Berrettini

4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Moments after the match ended it appeared something upset you. What happened before you walked up to the net?

MATTEO BERRETTINI: I don't know. There was a guy that was supporting, cheering for Andrey. He was acting fine for all the match. At the end of the match I don't know why he said 'forza'. There wasn't any need to do that, to say that, because I didn't say anything during the match. Me and Andrey are actually on really good terms.

I didn't like that I lost, so I was upset also for my loss. I just ask him why he said that in Italian. There was no need to fight, anything. Nothing. I was upset for that.

Q. What specifically do you think Andrey has improved since this time last year?

MATTEO BERRETTINI: I think a lot of things, not big obviously. When you get to this level, there are not really big things, especially for a player like him. I think he's returning better, serving better. His forehand and backhand are more heavy.

I mean, I knew every time that I play him that he was improving every time that we play each other, playing better and better, like I said, after I won against Ruud. I was ready to find him in these conditions especially after he started so well.

I think everything, he improved everything a little bit. Today he was just better than me.

Q. Especially without the big three in New York, how big of a threat is Andrey?

MATTEO BERRETTINI: I mean, I really think that everyone can win the tournament. I think my spot is pretty tough, like all the spots. I saw now that Daniil is playing. He's two sets up. If he's going to win, it's going to be a tough quarterfinal.

I saw Thiem playing against Felix. He was looking good.

There are a lot of players that are playing really well. I don't know who's going to win. Andrey for sure has a lot of chances.