Matteo Berrettini might have something to cheer about before 2024 wraps up. He’s in the running for the ATP Comeback Player of the Year award, a nod to his impressive journey back to form after some tough times.
The 2021 Wimbledon finalist had a rough patch when he injured his ankle during a US Open match against Arthur Rinderknech. This setback kept him off the court for months, but with Francisco Roig by his side, who joined as coach after years with Nadal, Berrettini made an unexpected and remarkable recovery.
He clinched a title at just his third tournament back on clay in Morocco, defeating players like Lorenzo Sonego and Roberto Carballes Baena. Fans might think it’s amazing how quickly he bounced back!
| Name | Age | Points | Stats 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| it Matteo Berrettini | 28 | 630 | 5 - 2 |
Berrettini’s Journey and Surprises:
His next big moment came on grass at the Stuttgart Open. There, he beat Denis Shapovalov and Lorenzo Musetti but fell short against Jack Draper in the final. Roig’s influence was clear as Berrettini won two more clay titles in July at the Swiss Open and Austrian Open.
Then came a twist: just before the Paris Masters, Berrettini and Roig parted ways amicably but unexpectedly. Despite this change, Berrettini played a key role for Team Italy in winning their second straight Davis Cup title, showcasing his resilience by winning three matches including an intense semifinal against Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Though he’s a strong contender for Comeback Player of the Year, Marin Cilic also has an inspiring story. Cilic battled through numerous failed attempts to return from a severe knee injury that seemed career-ending. Yet his persistence paid off when he became the lowest-ranked ATP champion ever at Hangzhou Open—an uplifting tale indeed!
Kei Nishikori is another nominee whose comeback is worth noting. After struggling with hip issues since 2021, Nishikori made it to quarterfinals at both Canadian and Japan Opens in 2024 before winning Finland’s Tali Open.
In your opinion, who deserves this award?
