MATTEO BERRETTINI has rubbished claims that his relationship with Melissa Satta is damaging his tennis career.
The injury-plagued Italian has seen his ranking tumble from a career-high No6 last year to his current slot at No22.
Berrettini, 27, missed the entirety of the clay court season last year after undergoing hand surgery, before returning to form on the grass.
After producing sublime performances on the way to titles at Stuttgart and Queen's, the cursed star was forced to pull out of Wimbledon on the eve of the tournament after testing positive for Covid.
Berrettini has been able to play a relatively full schedule so far this year, without picking up many notable results.
In Italy, some have tried to attribute his lack of form to his new relationship with girlfriend Melissa.
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But ahead of this week's Monte Carlo Masters 1000 event, Berrettini rubbished any such claims.
He said: "I cannot conceive how a relationship can allow you not to do your job, but people talk.
"We live in the era of social media, where everyone can say anything and it seems to me as if general education has been lost. In the end, however, I am happy, this is what matters."
Satta, 36, is a former Maxim model and was previously married to footballer Kevin-Prince Boateng between 2016 and 2020.
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On criticism of his performances from the Italian media, Berrettini added: "It makes me smile, on the one hand it's positive because it means that tennis is one of the most popular sports in Italy. Everyone talks about it and sees me around."
On the real source of his struggles, the 2021 Wimbledon finalist explained: "In recent years I have always gone to six thousand, I have played many games and unfortunately I have suffered many injuries.
"I paid the price for this routine."
Berrettini's best run of 2023 prior to this week came at the start of January, when he helped Italy to the final of the United Cup.
He failed to build on that success at the Australian Open, however, losing in five epic sets to an inspired Andy Murray Down Under.
After a run to the Acapulco quarter-finals he was beaten by Taro Daniel in Indian Wells and Mackenzie McDonald in Miami – even losing in a Challenger quarter-final in between.
Berrettini is into the second round in Monte Carlo this week, having beaten serve and volleyer Maxime Cressy 6-4, 6-2 in his opener.
He will take on Francisco Cerundolo on Court des Princes later this afternoon.
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