Wimbledon finalist Berrettini latest to join Olympics exodus
ITALY’S Matteo Berrettini has become the latest high-profile tennis player to pull out of the Tokyo Olympics after injuring his thigh.
The world number eight, who had a bandaged leg in last week’s Wimbledon final loss to Novak Djokovic, joins Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka in withdrawing from the men’s event.
Serena Williams, Simona Halep, Victoria Azarenka, Johanna Konta, Bianca Andreescu and Angelique Kerber are among those to have already announced their decision to skip the women’s tournament in Tokyo.
Berrettini, the first Italian to reach a Wimbledon singles final, announced his decision in an Instagram post on Sunday.
“I am extremely disappointed to announce my withdrawal from the Tokyo Olympic Games,” Berrettini said.
“I had an MRI scan yesterday on the thigh injury I sustained during Wimbledon and was informed I will not be able to compete for a couple of weeks.” The Olympic tennis events begin on July 24 and run through to August 1.
However, the deadline to name new athletes passed on Friday, so the Italian National Olympic Committee will not be able to name a replacement to join Fabio Fognini, Lorenzo Sonego and Lorenzo Musetti.
“Representing Italy is the biggest honour for me so it is devastating to miss the Olympics,” Berrettini added.
Despite the urry of withdrawals, world number one Djokovic confirmed this week that he will enter the Olympic Games.
Djokovic travels to Japan in pursuit of a ground-breaking achievement, the Serbian just two titles - the Olympics and US Open - away from a first men’s Golden Slam after triumphing at the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon in 2021.
e inaur withdraws after positive test
Alex de Minaur is “shattered” to be missing the Tokyo Olympics after he tested positive for COVID-19.
De Minaur was the headline name of Australia’s Olympics men’s tennis team, alongside Nick Kyrgios.
However, Kyrgios pulled out last week due to a concern over the decision to ban fans from attending events due to a spike in coronavirus cases in Japan.
Now world number 17 De Minaur has joined a list of absentees which already includes Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, while the woman’s tournament will be without Serena Williams and former medallists Victoria Azarenka and Angelique Kerber, who withdrew on Friday.
“We have been advised that Alex de Minaur has had a positive test, as a consequence, Alex, sadly will be unable to join the Australian team,” Australia’s chef de mission Ian Chesterman said.
“We are very disappointed for Alex and he is shattered at not being able to come. It has been his dream to represent Australia at the Olympic Games since he was a child, but he sent his best wishes for the team.”