The first Grand Slam tournament of the season is just around the corner, and with it comes renewed excitement from within the tennis world.
On one hand, players will be afforded a fresh start as the new season commences, whilst fans can start to build excitement knowing that the off-season is well and truly over.
The Australian Open is when it really feels like tennis is back, and fortunately, it gets underway again tomorrow.
However, on the eve of the tournament, the men’s draw has suffered a significant blow with a last-minute withdrawal.
Matteo Berrettini withdraws from the Australian Open
The player in question is Matteo Berrettini, who has admittedly had a torrid time with injuries ever since reaching the Wimbledon final in 2019.
And yet, in frustrating fashion, it once again seems like his fitness has let him down in Melbourne.
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It was reported that he was battling a mystery ailment which caused him to withdraw from an exhibition match, and he was set to face a race to be fit enough for the Australian Open.
Clearly, it has come too early for the Italian, who has since released a statement confirming the news.
He wrote: “I am very sorry to have to withdraw; I’ve always enjoyed playing here and feeling the support of the crowd. I thank the tournament organisers; hopefully we shall see each other again very soon.”
Berrettini had been training with a former Grand Slam finalist ahead of the event. Sadly, any progress made under his leadership will not be exhibited in the coming weeks.
He cited a discomfort in his obliques that meant he would not have been able to perform at the level required to compete in five-set tennis.
Alex de Minaur, who was likely fearing for his first-round progression when the draw was made, will likely be relieved to see a lucky loser replace Berrettini.
Alex de Minaur’s new projected Australian Open draw
Although it only affects his first round, it’s worth now combing over De Minaur’s Australian Open draw, and how this withdrawal affects him.
After all, his first round has been made far easier, replacing Berrettini with a lucky loser.
Should he progress, one of Mariano Navone or Hamad Medjedovic will be waiting, before a mouth-watering clash with Frances Tiafoe is poised to take place in the third round.
Alexander Bublik, fresh from breaking into the top ten for the first time in his career, would be his projected fourth-round opponent, before the challenge ramps up significantly in the quarter-finals.
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That is where De Minaur will face the unenviable task of trying to stop Carlos Alcaraz on his conquest for the career Grand Slam.
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