Italy's tennis contingent delivered a strong opening day at The Championships, with Matteo Berrettini and Lorenzo Sonego both advancing through grueling four-set battles that underscored the nation's renewed depth on grass.
Berrettini, ranked 49th in the ATP standings, outlasted 41-year-old Swiss veteran Stan Wawrinka in a tiebreak marathon that stretched beyond four and a half hours. The Roman fell in the first-set tiebreak 6-7(7-9) but recovered to win the next three sets: 7-6, 7-6, 7-6, securing a place in the second round in a rare match where all four sets were decided by tiebreaks.
Why This Matters
• Italy's grass resurgence: Multiple Italian men advanced beyond the first round, signaling improved depth on a surface historically less favorable to Mediterranean players.
• Berrettini's comeback momentum: After climbing from outside the top 100 to No. 49 following a quarterfinal run at Roland Garros, the 2021 finalist is regaining elite form.
• Tiebreak mastery on display: After losing the opening set tiebreak, Berrettini demonstrated mental resilience by winning three consecutive tiebreaks to secure victory against one of tennis's most decorated players.
A Test of Nerves and Endurance
The Berrettini-Wawrinka clash quickly became one of the tournament's defining first-round encounters. Both players held serve consistently throughout, with the match's outcome determined by their performance in the decisive tiebreak moments. Berrettini fired 29 aces to Wawrinka's 18, showcasing the service firepower that would prove decisive in the extended tiebreaks.
The second-set tiebreak proved pivotal. Wawrinka, playing what is expected to be his final Wimbledon, held multiple set points but could not convert. Berrettini clawed back each time, eventually taking the breaker to level the match at one set apiece. That psychological recovery appeared to shift momentum decisively in his favor.
The match showcased contrasting styles: Berrettini's powerful serve and heavy-topspin forehand allowed him to dictate rallies and dominate the tiebreak moments, while Wawrinka relied on his trademark one-handed backhand with characteristic ferocity despite his age.
Sonego Upsets Seeded Argentine
While Berrettini's victory grabbed headlines, Lorenzo Sonego's performance carried equal weight for Italy's Wimbledon ambitions. The 69th-ranked Turin native defeated Argentina's Tomas Martin Etcheverry, the tournament's 29th seed, in four sets: 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 7-6.
Sonego's ability to upset a seeded opponent on grass reflects the growing comfort Italian players are developing on the surface. Historically, Italian tennis has thrived on clay, but the current generation—buoyed by the success of top-ranked Jannik Sinner—is demonstrating versatility across all surfaces.
Sonego now faces Canada's Gabriel Diallo in the second round, while Berrettini will meet France's Arthur Fils, a rising talent known for his aggressive baseline play.
Mixed Day for the Italian Contingent
Not all Italian players advanced. Luciano Darderi fell in straight sets to American Ethan Quinn (7-6, 7-5, 6-2), while Elisabetta Cocciaretto was eliminated in her debut match on the women's side.
However, Jannik Sinner—Italy's highest-ranked male player—survived a five-set thriller against Serbia's Miomir Kecmanović, winning 4-6, 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-2, 6-3. Matteo Arnaldi also defeated Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas in four sets (7-6(2), 5-7, 6-3, 6-2), adding to the positive Italian tally.
What This Means for Italian Tennis
Italy is experiencing a strong generation in men's tennis, with multiple players now capable of deep runs at Grand Slam events. Berrettini's return to form is particularly significant. After battling injuries that saw him drop outside the top 100, his quarterfinal run at the French Open and now his Wimbledon grit signal a genuine comeback.
For Italian sports fans, the narrative is shifting from singular reliance on Sinner to a multi-pronged threat. Sonego's upset victory, combined with Berrettini's resilience, suggests Italy could field multiple contenders in the tournament's second week—a prospect that reflects the improving depth of Italian men's tennis.
Looking Ahead
Wimbledon 2026, which began on June 29 and runs through July 12, is shaping up as a significant tournament for Italian tennis. With Sinner, Berrettini, and Sonego all advancing, the second round offers opportunities for Italy to place multiple players in the round of 16.
Berrettini's next test against Arthur Fils will reveal whether his tiebreak heroics signal a player rediscovering his best form. For a nation increasingly passionate about tennis, Italian players are demonstrating that depth and tactical sophistication now characterize the sport's landscape in the country.
For fans back home, the message is clear: Italian tennis is fielding a competitive, multi-talented contingent capable of competing at the sport's highest level across all surfaces.
