Matteo Berrettini has confirmed his intention to compete at the upcoming Wimbledon Championships after medical scans revealed no significant muscle damage following his mid-match retirement at the French Open.
The 30-year-old Italian was forced to withdraw from his Roland Garros quarter-final against compatriot Matteo Arnaldi on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, while trailing 5-7, 2-5 on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Despite the initial fears surrounding a recurring hip issue, the 2021 finalist at the All England Club has already begun a rehabilitation programme.
The update provides a massive boost for a player whose career has been repeatedly stalled by physical setbacks in recent years. Matteo Berrettini had been enjoying his deepest run at a Grand Slam and his first appearance in Paris since 2021, securing four consecutive victories before the injury struck.
The Italian star took to Instagram on Monday, June 8, to reassure fans that the discomfort felt during his match with Matteo Arnaldi was not as severe as first feared.
The news is particularly significant given that Matteo Berrettini has missed eight of the 18 Grand Slam tournaments held since his appearance in the 2021 final due to various ailments.
His recent form in Paris, which included a win over 22nd seed Arthur Rinderknech and a fourth-round victory against Juan Manuel Cerundolo, suggested he was finally rediscovering the power that once made him a top-10 mainstay. He remains a prominent figure in the com/latest-sport-news-updates-miami-open-aintree-world-cup/”>Fils Miami semi and Cromwell Aintree target headlines that have dominated recent tennis coverage.
Matteo Berrettini confirms recovery plan for Wimbledon return
Writing to his followers on social media, Matteo Berrettini expressed relief at the diagnostic results. “Leaving Paris with a smile on my face because the scans done over the last few days didn’t detect any significant muscles injuries,” the Italian noted.
He further confirmed that his focus has shifted entirely to the grass-court season, stating he is working to get to London in the “best shape possible.”
The injury initially manifested midway through the first set of his quarter-final match. Matteo Berrettini reported feeling a sharp pain while serving and hitting forehands, which led to a medical timeout. Medical staff on-site informed him the area was “really sore and really painful,” and a frustrated Berrettini later admitted, “I’m tired of retiring,” after being forced to shake hands prematurely.
This hip issue felt distinct from the problems he navigated in late 2019 and early 2020. Having suffered through oblique tears, ankle injuries, and foot problems over the last few years, Matteo Berrettini appears to have avoided a long-term layoff this time.
His ability to recover quickly is vital as he looks to capitalize on a surface that traditionally rewards his massive serve and heavy forehand, though he is currently following technical drills for his physical recovery.
Ranking hurdles and the qualifying draw dilemma
Despite his recent surge, Matteo Berrettini faces a logistical challenge to enter the Wimbledon main draw directly. Because the entry list cut-off occurred when he was ranked 107th in the world, he is currently listed as the third alternate. He currently sits behind Sho Shimabukuro and Alex Molcan in the pecking order for a direct spot at the All England Club.
If three players do not withdraw from the main draw before the tournament begins on June 29, 2026, the former finalist will be forced to compete in the qualifying event at Roehampton. This is a stark contrast to his current live ranking of world No.
48, a position he secured through his quarter-final run in Paris. His recent return to form has been one of the latest sport news updates catching the attention of analysts who expected a longer absence.
The stakes are high for the Italian in terms of ranking points. After a disappointing first-round exit at Wimbledon in 2025, where he lost to Kamil Majchrzak and earned only 10 points, he has virtually no points to defend. A deep run in London would likely propel him back toward the seeded positions for the US Open later this year.
A history of grass court success and injury frustration
Matteo Berrettini’s pedigree on grass is undisputed. In 2021, he became the first Italian man to reach a Wimbledon singles final, eventually falling to Novak Djokovic in four sets. That run was preceded by a title at Queen’s Club, establishing him as one of the most dangerous players on the surface.
His 2021 final saw Djokovic win 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 to tie the Grand Slam record of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
However, his lack of consistency has been driven purely by his body’s fragility. Since that 2021 final, he has struggled to maintain a clean bill of health for more than a few months at a time. The frustration was evident in Paris when he told reporters, “I didn’t want the tournament to end like this,” referring to his retirement against Matteo Arnaldi.
Wimbledon officials and fans alike will be monitoring his progress over the next fortnight. If his rehabilitation proceeds without a hitch, Matteo Berrettini remains an unseeded threat that most top stars will be desperate to avoid in the early rounds.
His presence in the draw significantly alters the competitive outlook of the tournament’s first week as he seeks to finally lift the trophy he nearly touched five years ago.
