The Glass Gladiator: Why Berrettini’s AO Exit is More Than Just Bad Luck
It was meant to be the blockbuster of Round One. Instead, Melbourne Park woke up to a familiar heartbreak. Matteo Berrettini has left the building before the first ball was served, leaving us to wonder: is the Roman giant fighting a battle he can't win?
Picture the scene: Rod Laver Arena, Monday night. The lights are blazing. The crowd is buzzing with that distinct mix of sunscreen smell and anticipation. On one side, Australia’s own speed-demon, Alex "The Demon" de Minaur. On the other, the Roman gladiator, Matteo Berrettini, with forearms the size of tree trunks and a serve that sounds like a gunshot.
That was the script. It would have been a cracker.
But this morning, the script was shredded. Berrettini is out. Again. An oblique injury—his nemesis—has flared up just hours before the main draw. It’s not just a withdrawal; it’s a recurring tragedy in the career of one of tennis’s most likeable heavyweights.
The Ferrari Paradox
To understand the "Curious Case" of Matteo, you have to look past the Hugo Boss ads and the 220 km/h serve. You have to look at the mechanics.
Think of Berrettini like a vintage V12 Ferrari engine dropped into a chassis that’s slightly too rigid. When he winds up for that massive serve (the one that took him to the Wimbledon final), the torque he puts on his torso is immense. The oblique muscles, which wrap around the ribs and rotate the trunk, scream under the pressure.
Most players serve with a fluid whip; Matteo serves with violent explosive power. It’s his greatest weapon, and arguably, his greatest liability.
⚡ The Essentials
The News: Matteo Berrettini withdrew from the 2026 Australian Open on Saturday, citing an oblique injury.
The Impact: He was set to play 6th seed Alex de Minaur in the marquee First Round match.
The Pattern: This marks his 7th major withdrawal or mid-tournament retirement in the last four years. Lucky loser Mackenzie McDonald takes his spot.
The "Unseen" Battle
We see the tape on the abs. We see the grimace. What we don't see is the mental toll of the rehab room. Imagine spending four weeks in the gym, doing everything right—diet, physio, sleep—only for your body to say "No" the moment you ask it to perform.
Berrettini mentioned in his statement that "the doctors are tired of seeing me too." It was a joke, but was it? There is a profound exhaustion in being a thoroughbred who spends more time in the stable than on the track.
| Year | Tournament | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | ATP Finals | Retired (Abdominal) |
| 2023 | Monte Carlo | Withdrew (Oblique) |
| 2024 | Australian Open | Withdrew (Foot/Abs) |
| 2026 | Australian Open | Withdrew (Oblique) |
What does this change for the Aussie?
For Alex de Minaur, this is a double-edged sword. He prepared for a slugfest against a power-hitter. Now, he faces Mackenzie McDonald, a completely different player (scrappy, flat hitter, moves well). The mental adjustment needs to be instant.
The "Demon" has a clearer path to the second week now, sure. But the tournament loses a bit of its soul without the Italian. Tennis needs stars who transcend the sport, and Matteo—with his backwards cap and "grazie" to the crowd—is one of them. When he plays.
👀 Can Berrettini ever return to the Top 10?
It's the million-dollar question. Talent-wise? Yes, he is Top 5 material on grass. But physiologically? The pattern suggests his body cannot handle the rigors of the modern 11-month tour. His best bet might be a "Serena schedule"—skipping minor events to protect his body for the Slams. If he can't adapt his schedule, we might have seen his peak.
So, as the sun beats down on Melbourne Park tomorrow, spare a thought for the guy sitting in a hotel room, icing his ribs, watching the tournament go on without him. The unseen battle isn't against De Minaur anymore; it's against his own anatomy.
