Remember when Matteo Berrettini famously wrote “Thank you Imodium” on the camera after a hard-fought win? While it was easy to guess what he was referring to, the full story remained a mystery—until now.
During his appearance on the Italian podcast “Tintoria,” Berrettini shared the details of what really happened that day, revealing an embarrassing behind-the-scenes ordeal.
The Infamous’ Thank You Imodium’ Moment
The match in question was the first round of the 2022 Australian Open against Brandon Nakashima. Despite not feeling well from the start, Berrettini secured a 4-6, 6-2, 7-6, 6-3 victory before eventually reaching the semifinals, where he fell to Rafael Nadal. However, the audience didn’t know that he was battling more than just his opponent on the court.
“Somehow, I managed to win the third set,” he recalled, “but there was no time to celebrate—I sprinted straight to the bathroom.”
Fortunately, the facilities were close by since they were playing on a big court.
“The umpire got nervous because I hadn’t given him a heads-up, but in that moment, formalities were the last thing on my mind. I rushed in, took care of business, and came back for the fourth set, taking another Imodium,” he said with a laugh.
For the rest of the match, Berrettini found himself in a desperate race against time.
“I played a whole set without ever stopping,” he admitted, explaining that during every changeover, he dashed off the court to use the bathroom as quickly as possible. After consuming a total of six Imodium tablets, he somehow pulled off the win. Then came the handshake at the net.
“Nakashima told me, ‘Well played.’ I just looked at him and said, ‘Sorry, I had diarrhea,'” Berrettini revealed, adding to the hilarity of the situation.
Looking for a Strong Season
Injuries now seem to be a thing of the past for Berrettini, who has been in excellent form this season and is determined to return to his best level. Breaking back into the top 10 or reaching another Grand Slam final won’t be easy, but with his powerful serve and aggressive baseline game, he has consistently proven his ability to challenge top-ranked opponents and make deep runs in major tournaments.
Looking ahead, Berrettini’s season outlook remains promising. His ability to dictate play with a dominant forehand and a reliable backhand slice continues to bring him success across different surfaces. Though he has yet to reach a final this year, he secured a statement win over Novak Djokovic and reached the quarterfinals in both Doha and Dubai.
The road ahead presents challenges, as he must defend significant ranking points after winning three clay-court titles last year, but he remains a strong contender for major trophies and a return to the ATP’s elite ranks.
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey – USA TODAY Sports
