Berrettini OUT of Wimbledon as last year’s finalist tests positive for Covid

MATTEO BERRETTINI has withdrawn from the 2022 Wimbledon championship following a positive Covid test.

Last year’s runner-up announced on his Instagram page on day two of the tournament that he was pulling out after suffering “flu symptoms”.

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In a huge blow to the credentials of the men’s draw, the No.8 seed will have to watch from his sofa in Italy.

Berrettini has won two titles this month – the Stuttgart Open and Queen’s – and was the top performer on grass this summer.

The 26-year-old from Rome was supposed to play Chilean Cristian Garin on No.1 Court today but he will be replaced by lucky loser Elias Ymer of Sweden.

He is the second man to pull out with coronavirus, following the withdrawal of Croatian Marin Cilic on Monday night.

Berrettini, who models for Hugo Boss, said: “I am heartbroken to announce that I need to withdraw from Wimbledon due to a positive Covid-19 test result.

“I have had flu symptoms and been isolating the last few days.

“Despite symptoms not being severe, I decided it was important to take another test this morning to protect the health and safety of my fellow competitors and everyone else involved in the tournament.

“I have no words to describe the extreme disappointment I feel.

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“The dream is over for this year but I will be back stronger. Thank you for the support.”

Berrettini had enjoyed the perfect preparation for The Championships by winning in Stuttgart and at the Queen’s Club – having previously been out with injury since March.

He practised with Rafael Nadal on Centre Court last week, while he also caught up with last year’s final opponent Novak Djokovic.

Only Nadal and Djokovic had been ahead of Berrettini in the odds to win the title.

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According to All England Club sources, there is no link of transmission between the Berrettini and Cilic positive cases.

And tennis bosses are confident the health and safety measures they have in place will ensure there is no chance of an outbreak at SW19.

A spokesperson said: “As a major event we have and continue to work in conjunction with the UK Public Health Security Agency and our local quthority.

“We have maintained enhanced cleaning and hand sanitising operations, and offer full medical support for anyone feeling unwell.

“We are following UK guidance around assessment and isolation of any potential infectious disease.

“Our player medical team also continue to wear face masks for any consultation.”