"It is with a broken heart that I announce I have to withdraw from Wimbledon due to testing positive for covid-19," the 26-year-old wrote on Instagram.
The organizers then confirmed this package, stating that Berrettini, who was to start his tournament on Tuesday against the Chilean Cristian Garin (43rd), was replaced in the table by the lucky loser (eliminated in the last round of qualifying) Swedish Elias Ymer (137th ).
“I had flu symptoms and have been in solitary confinement for the past few days. Symptoms weren’t severe, but I felt it was important to retest this morning (Tuesday before his entry into the running, editor's note) to protect my fellow players and all those involved in the tournament", detailed the world N.11.
"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 concluded in his message.
Berrettini, who took a set in the final last year from Novak Djokovic, arrived in full confidence this year at Wimbledon having won his two preparatory tournaments at the Major on grass, in Stuttgart and at Queen's.
Undefeated on this surface this season, he was in Rafael Nadal's half of the table and could hope for revenge against Djokovic in the final.
© 2022 AFP