In a tragic turn of events during the 2023 US Open, Italian tennis sensation and 2021 Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini was forced to retire from his second-round match against French player Arthur Rinderknech. Video footage on social media later showcased a distraught Berrettini in a wheelchair, confirming the severity of his situation.
The incident occurred on Court 5 as Berrettini was down 4-6, 3-5 against Rinderknech. Attempting a backhand return, the Italian tennis star rolled his ankle and immediately fell to the ground, visibly writhing in pain. Ball kids hurried to Berrettini's side, and the chair umpire promptly summoned medical assistance. Unfortunately, it took nearly five minutes for medical staff to arrive, sparking outrage among fans watching the distressing scene unfold.
The agony on Berrettini's face was palpable in the footage that later circulated on social media platforms. This devastating incident adds to an already challenging year for the athlete, who missed a significant chunk of the tennis season due to an abdominal strain. This prior injury led him to withdraw from the Queen's Club Championships and the entire clay court season, only to make a disappointing fourth-round exit at Wimbledon.
This marks the second consecutive year that Berrettini has failed to progress past the second round of the US Open, despite having reached the quarterfinals in both 2021 and 2022, and the semifinals in 2019. The only other time he was knocked out in the opening round was in 2018, during his debut appearance at Flushing Meadows.
On the flip side, Arthur Rinderknech has secured his first-ever third-round spot in a Grand Slam event and is slated to face eighth seed Andrey Rublev. Rublev, who recently defeated Gael Monfils in a thrilling match, is making his fifth straight appearance in the third round of the US Open. The Russian athlete, a three-time quarter-finalist at Flushing Meadows, showed remarkable resilience during his 2-hour, 19-minute battle with Monfils.
The devastating injury to Berrettini adds another layer of drama to an already electrifying US Open season, raising questions about athlete safety and medical responsiveness at major sporting events. Berrettini's setback could significantly impact his career trajectory, adding urgency to the ongoing dialogue about athlete welfare in professional tennis.
