The opening night of the ATP Finals has ended in agony for Italian fans after Matteo Berrettini was forced to retire from his match against Alexander Zverev with an injury in his abdominal region.
The two players engaged in what was a thrilling roller-coaster opener before a cruel twist of fate brought the match to an abrupt end when Zverev was leading 7-6(7), 1-0. Berrettini, who had suffered problems with his abdomen in the past, looked to be uncomfortable early on in the second set and was seen trying to stretch. Then the Italian crouched down on the ground as the venue turned to silence. Hoping to continue playing, Berrettini underwent a medical time out and returned to playing seven minutes later. However, the tearful Italian was unable to continue and was forced to call it quits.
“I don’t really know what to say because this is the worst feeling a player can have,” Zverev said moments after his peer retired. “I mean, you play all year long to qualify for this beautiful tournament and for Matteo playing at home this is the worst feeling I think he will ever have in his career.”
The atmosphere at the Pala Alpitour emulated that of an old school Davis Cup tie with an highly animated Italian crowd cheering on Berrettini who Zverev had beaten in three out of their four previous meetings. Their latest clash started with a gut-busting 80-minute opening set with both players having chances to clinch it. Former champion Zverev had four opportunities to break the Italian during three separate service games but was unable to convert any of them. Then Berrettini nudged ahead to 6-5 and had two set points in his favor but failed to capitalise.
It would be a roller-coaster tiebreaker that would separate the two. Fighting back from a 2-4 deficit, Zverev refused to back down against some thunderous hitting being produced by the world No.7. Like Berrettini, the German saw two set point chances come and go before prevailing with a bit of luck on his side. Leading 8-7, he returned a serve deep towards the baseline which his rival was unable to return. Prompting delight for the Zverev camp but despair for Berrettini and his army of fans.
There would be no fightback from Berrettini with his own body betraying him. During the Australian Open in February he suffered an abdominal strain which forced him to miss two months of the Tour. Whilst the severity of his latest ailment is currently unknown, his future presence in this year’s ATP Finals is now in serious doubt.
“I thought the first set was incredibly high level tennis (but) this is all not important. The most important thing is that both players at the end of the match can shake hands and be healthy. Today this was not the case,” Zverev commented.
“I told him (Berrettini) he’s somebody that put himself into the top 10, top eight players of the world. He’s going to be back here (at the ATP Finals) next year.’
“This is the worst feeling I think anybody can have and I feel very sorry for Matteo right now.”
Earlier in the day defending champion Daniil Medvedev started his campaign with a straight sets win over Herbert Hurkacz.
