Matteo Berrettini arrives in Buenos Aires aiming to kick off his 2026 season and hopes to meet Fiorentina legend Gabriel Batistuta. Drawn against Federico Coria in round one on clay — a surface that suits him — punters may favour Berrettini to win his opener and consider backing him to reach the quarterfinals, while monitoring his fitness before committing to longer outrights.
Berrettini targets Argentina Open bounce-back after injury setbacks
Matteo Berrettini has travelled to Buenos Aires to begin his 2026 campaign at the Argentina Open, marking his first competitive tennis match since withdrawing from the Australian Open amid ongoing fitness concerns. The former Wimbledon finalist and one-time world No. 6 is using the clay event to regain form and rhythm after a spell disrupted by injuries.
Football fandom leads to a Batistuta wish
Berrettini revealed he would love to meet Argentine icon Gabriel Batistuta while in Buenos Aires. A lifelong football fan influenced by his father’s passion for Fiorentina, Berrettini praised Batistuta’s legacy in Florence and said he hopes to chat about Italy and the city during the tournament.
Batistuta’s legacy — why it matters to Berrettini
Batistuta remains one of Fiorentina’s greatest scorers, netting 168 goals for the club and 56 for Argentina before Lionel Messi eclipsed his international tally. For Berrettini, Batistuta represents a bridge between his tennis life and his family’s football loyalties — a human-interest angle that has warmed the tournament build-up.
Draw analysis: first-round test against Federico Coria
Berrettini opens against Federico Coria in the first round — a familiar clay opponent. The Italian has faced Coria twice before on clay and emerged victorious on both occasions, giving him psychological and tactical edges heading into the match scheduled for Tuesday, February 10.
Projected path and key threats
If Berrettini clears the opening hurdle, his projected route features potential matchups versus Vit Kopriva or Alex Barrena in round two and a quarterfinal clash that could see him face top seed Francisco Cerundolo. Other notable threats in his half include defending champion Joao Fonseca and Tomas Martin Etcheverry, all dangerous on South American clay.
Betting outlook and fitness caveat
On clay and given his head-to-head advantage, Berrettini is a reasonable choice for match-winner bets in round one and as a contender to reach the quarterfinals. However, punters should factor in his recent injury history before backing longer-term outrights; markets that allow hedging or in-play adjustments may be more suitable while he proves match fitness.
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Matteo Berrettini is hoping to meet this footballing legend at his first tournament of the 2026 season. Berrettini is a former Wimbledon finalist and has...
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