Matteo Berrettini Announces Francis Roig as His Coach for the Season
Roig, Former Coach of Rafael Nadal, Joins Berrettini’s Team
- Nacho Atanes @nacho_atanes
- Sports Editor and Tennis Correspondent for OKDIARIO. Covering tennis since 2016, with expertise in basketball, football, cycling, and more.
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- Updated:
Matteo Berrettini is looking to bounce back after a year and a half of battling injuries. The Italian tennis player, who reached the finals of Wimbledon and the Mutua Madrid Open and was a consistent top-10 player until 2022, has made a change in his coaching staff. He has enlisted the help of Francis Roig, former coach of Rafael Nadal and recently worked with American player Sloane Stephens.
Roig, 55 years old, will serve as Berrettini’s head coach for the upcoming season. Berrettini, currently ranked 92nd in the ATP rankings due to his absence from competition since the US Open, is eager to make a comeback. With Roig’s guidance, Berrettini, known for his powerful serve and forehand, has the potential to reclaim his position among the world’s best tennis players.
Injuries to Berrettini’s right wrist, right foot, and abdomen have caused a decline in his rankings since 2022. Despite a strong start in the Australian Open, where he reached the semifinals before being eliminated by Rafael Nadal, Berrettini has struggled with constant injuries. His most recent setback, an ankle injury, forced him to withdraw from the US Open in 2023.
Previously, Berrettini’s head coach was fellow Italian Vincenzo Santopadre. However, Berrettini has decided to part ways with Santopadre and work with one of the coaches who helped Rafael Nadal reach the top of the tennis world. Roig, who coached Nadal for 18 seasons, left Nadal’s team at the end of 2022. Nadal expressed his gratitude towards Roig and wished him luck in his new project.
Roig, 18 Years as Nadal’s Coach
“Francis is a great coach who has played a significant role in my development. I am grateful for his contributions and wish him the best in his future endeavors,” said Nadal. After a brief stint with Sloane Stephens, Roig is now back in the coaching scene, working with Berrettini, who is poised for a ranking surge.
Berrettini, having recovered from his ankle injury, will make his comeback at the Brisbane ATP 250 tournament, coinciding with Nadal’s return. He will then compete in the Australian Open, where he has secured a spot in the main draw.