Berrettini’s ATP Finals campaign in doubt after retirement due to injury.
Italian Matteo Berrettini burst into tears after an abdominal injury forced him to withdraw from his first ATP Finals match against Alexander Zverev, casting doubt on his participation for the remainder of the season-ending tournament.
Olympic champion Zverev took the victory after Berrettini was injured early in the second set, with the German leading 7-6 (7) 1-0 on Sunday.
Berrettini was out of the game for two months due to an abdominal injury suffered at the Australian Open in February.
The 25-year-old wasn’t sure if the injury that forced him to retire Sunday was a recurrence of the same problem.
“It is mentally very difficult for me because I used to have an injury near the same area, so it is difficult to play,” said Berrettini, in his second ATP Finals appearance after the game.
“Also, I don’t know what it is. I have to find out what it is and then if it’s nothing really big, maybe I can play.”
“Tomorrow (Monday) with my team and the doctor I will do some controls and I hope it is not something that will not let me play the next two games.”
The world number seven, who was playing in front of a local crowd in Turin, said it was “the worst day” of his career.
“It’s really difficult to face. I really wanted to enjoy every second … The worst thing that could have happened,” he said.
If Berrettini is not fit enough to continue in the tournament, Jannik Sinner would replace him as the first substitute.