By Ben Phillips
As preparations ramp up for the start of Wimbledon 2025, today marked the first official media day on-site at the All England Club, and one of the most thoughtful interviews of the day came courtesy of Matteo Berrettini, a player with a storied history at SW19.
Berrettini, the 2021 Wimbledon finalist, knows just how close he has come to the pinnacle on grass. When asked by QualityShot Tennis about what makes this tournament so special to him, he reflected on that journey with both pride and perspective.
“I know the level I can play on grass,” he said, referencing the dominant form that took him to the final four years ago before falling to Novak Djokovic in four sets. But while the memories remain vivid, Berrettini remains focused on the present.
“I always think match by match,” he added, tempering expectations with a reminder that nothing is guaranteed at this level.
The Italian has endured a turbulent run in recent months, with injuries and inconsistency preventing him from building the kind of rhythm he thrives on. When asked if he still believes he can reach the highest levels of the sport, he was confident but honest.
“I believe I can do something great in this sport, but this is a sport that needs momentum and rhythm. The last few months haven’t been a great moment for me.”
Indeed, this year is slightly different for Berrettini, who comes into Wimbledon without having played any lead-up events on grass. But his familiarity and natural comfort on the surface may prove to be enough, especially given his past success here.
“I feel very comfortable on this surface. It took me about a practice to get used to it,” he explained, though he also acknowledged the gap between practice and match play.
“However, it is playing matches that is the difference.”
Berrettini’s words suggest a player who is grounded yet hopeful, well aware of the challenge ahead but not ruling out another deep run on the lawns of Wimbledon. With the draw soon to unfold, don’t be surprised if the Italian finds his groove again on the surface where he feels most at home.
Maria Sakkari Reflects on Reuniting with Coach Tom Hill and Life on Tour
Media Day at Wimbledon 2025 continued to offer candid insight from some of the world’s top players, and none were more open than Greek star Maria Sakkari, who is looking to rediscover her top form as she returns to the All England Club, this time with a familiar face back in her corner.
Speaking to QualityShot Tennis, Sakkari was glowing about her reunion with longtime coach Tom Hill, a figure who has been pivotal throughout the most successful moments of her career. The pair parted ways in late 2023, but in April this year, they decided to reunite.
“I’m very happy that I’m back with Tom. I think it was a very good decision from both sides,” she said, smiling.
Sakkari has always thrived on strong, supportive relationships within her team, and Hill’s belief in her game appears to be a source of confidence as she heads into Wimbledon.
“Having someone that believes in me and my game more than anyone else,” she continued, “is what I need to get back to the top.”
The journey to stay at the top of the sport has not been straightforward. Like many players on tour, Sakkari has faced dips in form, media scrutiny, and the unique pressure that comes with the individual nature of tennis. When we asked her if she believes tennis could be the toughest sport in the world, she gave a considered and revealing answer.
“I mean, we’re biased,” she laughed, “but I do believe tennis is the toughest sport. If you put everything together, the travelling, the fact it’s an individual sport, sometimes it’s a lot.”
It’s a sentiment shared by many players on the tour, particularly during the long grind of the season. The physical and emotional toll is often underestimated, and Sakkari’s honesty offered a window into the resilience it takes just to compete at this level.
Still, despite the demands of the sport, there’s a clear sense of appreciation from Sakkari, especially with how quickly the years seem to have passed.
“I can’t believe how fast it goes,” she said. “I can still remember my first Wimbledon in 2016.”
Now 29 years old, Sakkari returns to the tournament with perspective, gratitude, and renewed belief in her process. She opens her 2025 campaign against Anna Blinkova in the first round, a tricky opponent, but one Sakkari will feel confident facing if she brings the aggressive, athletic tennis that has taken her to a career-high world No. 3.
With the support of Hill back in her corner, and a fresh perspective on what it takes to succeed in one of the sport’s most demanding arenas, Maria Sakkari is hoping that Wimbledon 2025 is the moment she reminds the world just how dangerous she can be.
Daniil Medvedev Talks Halle Run, Wimbledon Hopes, and Staying Under the Radar
As media day rolled on at Wimbledon 2025, Daniil Medvedev brought his trademark mix of self-awareness, dry humour, and analytical insight to his sit-down with QualityShot Tennis. Fresh off a strong showing at the ATP 500 in Halle, where he reached the final before falling to friend and fellow showman Alexander Bublik, the Russian is in upbeat spirits as he gears up for another crack at the All England Club.
Reflecting on his grass-court preparation, Medvedev was full of praise for Bublik but also clearly encouraged by his level.
“I feel very good. It was a great tournament and even in the final I played against someone who in this moment is maybe like top four in the world,” he said, nodding to the inspired form of Bublik, who played one of the best tournaments of his career to take the title.
Medvedev pushed the match close and felt that a key moment in the second set could have flipped the script entirely.
“I had a set point,” he recalled. “If it went to three sets, we don’t know what would have happened.”
It was a typically honest assessment from Medvedev, who has made a career of being transparent about his performances, win or lose. For a player whose most dominant results have come on hard courts, his continued improvement on grass has been a quiet but important part of his evolution.
While clay remains his least favourite surface, grass has increasingly become a platform for Medvedev to show off his unpredictable mix of flat hitting, excellent return skills, and tactical variety. He reached the semifinals at Wimbledon in 2023 and will believe that he can go even further this time around.
“I’m happy with my level,” he said. “And I’m looking forward to Wimbledon.”
Off the court, Medvedev remains as engaging as ever, and when asked how he feels about not always being the most in-demand name during media week, he offered a classic Medvedev response, witty and self-deprecating.
“It’s Novak in the next room, so it’s normal,” he laughed. “Novak is much bigger than me and much stronger.”
He grinned through the answer, clearly unfazed, and later added:
“I enjoy it. I don’t care which room I get interviewed in.”
It’s exactly that perspective that makes Medvedev such a refreshing presence in the sport. Despite his status as a Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1, he continues to approach each tournament with the attitude of someone who’s still striving for more, always willing to evolve and never afraid to say what he thinks.
As the draw unfolds, Medvedev will no doubt be a name that many in the top half will be hoping to avoid. His ability to neutralise power with his deep positioning and absorb pressure makes him a dangerous opponent on any surface, but especially now that he’s found comfort and consistency on grass.
He may not be the loudest voice in the room, but when Daniil Medvedev speaks, whether with a racket or a sharp turn of phrase, the tennis world listens. Wimbledon 2025 could be the perfect place for him to once again let his tennis do the talking.
