Matteo Berrettini described tennis as the love of his life after booking his first grand slam quarter-final appearance in over three years at the French Open.

Berrettini came up against Jannik Sinner's conqueror Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the round of 16 at Roland-Garros on Monday and emerged a 6-3 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (7-6) victor.

The Italian, who once sat as high as sixth in the ATP Rankings, went to the quarter-finals or later on five straight grand slam appearances in 2021 and 2022, finishing as runner-up to Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon in the first of those years. 

However, he has missed six of 13 majors since that run ended, struggling with injuries and falling in the first or second round on six of his seven appearances in that time.

Now a lowly 105th in the world, he is the lowest-ranked Roland Garros quarter-finalist since Igor Andreev in 2007.

The 30-year-old is also the oldest Italian man to reach a major quarter-final in the Open Era, and he admits there were periods where he thought a comeback was impossible. 

"This is the love of my life, because if it wasn't, I wouldn't be here," Berrettini said in his on-court interview. 

"After all the setbacks, all the injuries, all the bad moments, I came back once again. 

"There were moments where it was really tough to go back and hit the ball, because I wasn't ready and sure of my confidence, but now I feel great."

This year's event is wide open following an injury to Carlos Alcaraz and shock defeats for Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic, while second seed Alexander Zverev and breakout stars Joao Fonseca and Rafael Jodar are on the opposite side of the draw to Berrettini.  

"There are so many players who are playing unbelievable tennis," the Italian added. "Tennis is unpredictable. 

"The field is pretty packed and I'm trying to give my best, I'm focusing on my game and I want to enjoy this win."