Matteo Berrettini Withdraws from Australian Open, Stefanos Tsitsipas Clash Cancelled

Matteo Berrettini’s Australian Open campaign takes an unexpected turn as the Italian tennis star withdraws from the tournament before playing a match. The anticipation surrounding his first-round clash against Stefanos Tsitsipas comes to a halt due to a right foot injury, adding to Berrettini’s recent string of injury setbacks.

Ongoing Injury Woes for Berrettini

This marks the fourth time in the last eight grand slam tournaments where Matteo Berrettini has faced the disappointment of not being able to step onto the court. The popular Italian, a former Wimbledon finalist and semi-finalist in Melbourne in 2022, has been grappling with injuries, disrupting his consistent presence on the tour.

Berrettini’s absence from the Australian Open is a continuation of his injury struggles, which began during the US Open. A challenging ankle injury forced him to withdraw from his second-round match against Arthur Rinderknech. Since then, the 27-year-old has been off the tour, aiming to recover and regain his fitness.

The year 2022 presented a series of challenges for Matteo Berrettini, with injury setbacks hampering his performance. A missed appearance at the French Open due to an abdominal injury was followed by hand surgery, which kept him out of Roland Garros. Additionally, Berrettini faced the hurdle of testing positive for Covid-19 ahead of Wimbledon, further impacting his tennis calendar.

Once ranked as high as world number six, Matteo Berrettini’s prolonged absence from competitive play has reflected in his rankings. The Italian, who reached the Wimbledon final in 2021, now finds himself at the 125th position. The journey back to the top will undoubtedly require a diligent recovery process for the determined tennis player.

Replacement in the Draw, Zizou Bergs Steps In

Matteo Berrettini’s withdrawal from the Australian Open sees Belgian lucky loser Zizou Bergs stepping in as his replacement. Bergs is set to face Stefanos Tsitsipas on Monday in the much-anticipated clash that was initially scheduled with Berrettini. Tennis enthusiasts await to see how Bergs takes on the challenge against the Greek tennis sensation.

Amidst the withdrawals, fourth seed Jannik Sinner kicked off his Australian Open campaign with a straight-sets victory over Botic Van De Zandschulp. The Italian player, a favourite for the title following his stellar end to 2023, secured a 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 win on Rod Laver Arena. Sinner’s performance becomes a focal point, showcasing his determination and readiness on the court.

Former finalist Marin Cilic marked his return to grand slam action since the US Open in 2022, following knee surgery. However, his comeback was met with a defeat in four sets by Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan. The result adds to the dynamic mix of triumphs and challenges in the early stages of the Australian Open.