Finalist last year, recent winner of the tournaments on grass of Stuttgart and Queen’s, Matteo Berrettini arrived at Wimbledon with a beautiful head of outsider. But the Italian (11th in the world) had to withdraw before his first round on Tuesday against the Chilean Cristian Garin (43rd in the world). “It is with a broken heart that I announce that I have to withdraw from Wimbledon due to a positive Covid-19 test,” the 26-year-old wrote on Instagram.
The organizers then confirmed this package, stating that Berrettini was replaced in the table by the “lucky loser” (eliminated in the last round of qualifying) Swedish Elias Ymer (137th).
“I will come back stronger”
“I felt flu symptoms and I have been in solitary confinement for the past few days. Symptoms weren’t severe, but I felt it was important to retest this morning [mardi] to protect my fellow players and everyone involved in the tournament,” the Italian detailed. “I have no words to describe the extreme disappointment I feel. The dream is over for this year, but I will come back stronger, ”he concludes in his message.
After the Croatian Marin Cilic, Berrettini is the second player to have to forfeit the London tournament due to Covid. Undefeated on this surface this season, he was in Rafael Nadal’s half of the table – like Cilic – and could hope for revenge against Djokovic in the final. The Spaniard and the Serb have also visited the Italian in recent days in training. What if this Wimbledon was won by elimination?