Huge disappointment for Berrettini, who forfeits Rome: "I had to put my heart aside and do the right thing".

The hecatomb continues in Italy. After the withdrawals of the world's No. 2 and No. 3, it's Matteo Berrettini's turn to give up. The Italian colossus has been forced, in spite of himself, to withdraw from a tournament very dear to his heart. Following Jannik Sinner's withdrawal, it's now the turn of the other great Italian tennis star. Much loved by his fans, the former world no. 6 tried everything, but in the end he won't be able to line up: "I tried everything to play in Rome, but I couldn't do it. I'm not ready to play tomorrow, I'm at risk of injury and absence. I had to put my heart aside and do what I had to do. I hope to be able to play in Paris or before. I haven't been able to train much lately and I'm only here because we're in Rome. I've tried, by all means, to play, because three years have gone by and I've missed it so much."

After a fairly serious ankle injury (in the 2nd round of the US Open 2023), the Roman puncher made a convincing comeback. Reaching the final on the Challenger circuit (in Phoenix), Matteo even managed to claim an 8th career title in Marrakech. Forced to retire in Madrid, then Munich and now Rome, the Wimbledon 2021 finalist still seems to be struggling. Let's hope he recovers in time to compete at Porte d'Auteuil (where he has already shone, reaching the quarter-finals in 2021).