**Paris, 1 June 2026** – The tension before the fourth round of Roland Garros 2026 has reached unprecedented levels. Juan Manuel Cerúndolo, the 23-year-old Argentine who has already written one of the most sensational pages in the recent history of tennis by eliminating Jannik Sinner in the second round, has decided to further raise the stakes.

During an electrically charged press conference, Cerúndolo uttered words destined to spark discussion for weeks:

**”I will beat Berrettini exactly like I did with Sinner. Italian tennis players don’t deserve my respect.”**

The sentence, pronounced with a cold tone and a fixed gaze, left the Roland Garros press room silent for a few seconds, before unleashing a real uproar. It was not a simple sporting provocation: Cerúndolo attacked head-on not only Matteo Berrettini, his next opponent, but the entire Italian tennis movement, including the figure of Jannik Sinner, number 1 in the world.

The young Argentine, who only a few days ago overcame a two-set deficit against Sinner to win 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1, continued undaunted: “Sinner lost because he wasn’t physically strong enough. I won because I’m mentally superior. Berrettini will end up the same way. I’m not afraid of anyone here on clay.”

### Berrettini responds with class and toughness

Faced with such weighty declarations, Matteo Berrettini did not remain silent. The Italian, known for his balanced character and sportsmanship, responded with words that went around the world in a few hours.

“Juan has every right to be confident after what he did against Sinner, but certain sentences go beyond tennis,” Berrettini declared with a firm tone. “Jannik is not only the number 1 in the world, he is a friend and a boy who has worked like no one to get to where he is today. Attacking him and all of Italian tennis is not right. Tomorrow on the court we will talk with the racket. I am ready.”

Sources close to the Italian entourage reveal that Berrettini was particularly struck by the negative reference to Sinner, who he considers almost a younger brother. The former world number 6 decided to transform anger into motivation: “If Cerúndolo wanted to charge me, he succeeded perfectly.”

### The context of a historic undertaking

To understand the extent of what is happening, we need to go back to the second round. Jannik Sinner, considered an overwhelming favourite, had dominated the first two sets and was one step away from victory at 5-1 in the third. Then the cramp, the hot and humid weather conditions of Paris and, above all, Cerúndolo’s extraordinary mental resistance changed everything. The Argentine won three consecutive sets with aggressive and courageous tennis, suddenly becoming the most feared man in the tournament.

From that moment Cerúndolo went from outsider to “number 1 killer”. Now he faces Berrettini, another Italian in great form, fresh from a good victory in the third round.

### Technical and psychological analysis

From a technical point of view, Cerúndolo presents himself as an extremely dangerous opponent on clay. His forehand full of topspin, the ability to run for hours and above all the exponential growth of his mentality make him a complete player. Many experts maintain that the comeback against Sinner was not just luck, but the sign of a talent that had finally exploded.

However, the most discussed aspect remains the psychological one. Cerúndolo is playing a dangerous game: his statements can motivate him enormously, but they could also turn into excessive pressure. In the past, many players who exaggerated with provocations then paid the price on the pitch.

Berrettini, for his part, comes to the challenge with an important wealth of experience. After the physical problems of recent years, the Italian seems to have regained serenity and confidence. His powerful serve and slick backhand could create huge problems for Cerúndolo’s aggressive game.

### The opinion of the tennis world

The reactions in the circuit were not long in coming. Carlos Alcaraz commented with a smile: “Juan is a boy who plays with fire. We’ll see if he gets burned.” Novak Djokovic, more directly, said: “Respect is earned on the court, not with words.”

Former Italian champion Adriano Panatta also intervened: “Cerúndolo reminds me of certain South American players from the 70s and 80s: talented but sometimes too hot. Berrettini has the opportunity to give him a lesson in tennis and education.”

The match between Cerúndolo and Berrettini is scheduled for tomorrow on Court Suzanne-Lenglen. It will be an epic battle between the South American style of running and topspin and the more classic Italian tennis.

Many predict a long match, probably over three hours. Cerúndolo will try to impose a very high pace from the first game, while Berrettini will focus on the serve and the variation to break the Argentine’s rhythm.

Whatever the result, one thing is certain: this quarter-final has already won the “most anticipated match” award of the tournament. Not only for the technical level, but above all for the very strong emotional and personal charge that the two will bring to the pitch.

Cerúndolo lit the fuse. Berrettini has taken up the challenge.

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