Matteo Berrettini withdraws from Madrid Open 2024: "I have been struggling with an illness; it would be unsafe to try and compete"
Matteo Berrettini has announced his withdrawal from the 2024 Mutua Madrid Open.
It was widely expected that Berrettini would head to the Mutua Madrid Open. However, the 2021 Wimbledon Championships finalist announced via a social media post that he would be skipping the prestigious Masters 1000 tournament. The 28-year-old has cited tonsillitis and a fever as the reasons behind his withdrawal.
"I have been struggling with an illness the last few days which has now evolved into tonsillitis and a fever. Following another assessment my doctor advised it would be unsafe to try and compete in Madrid," Berrettini wrote in an Instagram post.
However, the Italian ended his post on an optimistic note, as he hinted at featuring at the Italian Open.
"Now my focus shifts to recovering as quickly as possible and preparing for Rome," he added.
Berrettini endured an injury-ravaged 2023, which took a toll on both his form and his ranking. The former World No. 6 dropped out of the top 100 earlier this year and also missed numerous prestigious tournaments. A foot injury compelled him to withdraw from the Australian Open in January.
During an online press conference in February, Berrettini said that he would be back playing in March. The Italian returned to action at the 2024 Arizona Tennis Classic, where he finished as the runner-up.
Next, Berrettini played at the Miami Open but was ousted by Andy Murray in the first round. The Italian struggled throughout the contest with an intestinal virus, almost collapsing at one point.
His next stop was the 2024 Grand Prix Hassan II, which he won to mark his first ATP Tour-level title since 2022. This triumph helped Berrettini break back into the top 100. However, his campaign at the Monte Carlo Masters ended in disappointment, as he lost his first-round match against Miomir Kecmanovic.
Matteo Berrettini missed the 2023 Mutua Madrid Open as well
Berrettini also withdrew from the Mutua Madrid Open last year. At the time, the Italian was dealing with an abdominal injury, which stemmed from a tear in one of his oblique muscles.
Berrettini had said he was undergoing an 'intense rehab program', which would rule him out of the Madrid Open.
"The intense rehab program has begun with my medical team in Barcelona. I will do everything I can to be back competing as soon as possible. Unfortunately I will not be able to compete in Madrid. I will keep you all updated when I have more news," Berrettini had written on Instagram.
Matteo Berrettini finished as the runner-up at the 2021 Madrid Open after losing to Alexander Zverev in straight sets.