Defending champion Matteo Berrettini withdraws from Queen's due to abdominal injury - 'I'm really sad'
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Updated 19/06/2023 at 07:41 GMT
There will be no Matteo Berrettini at Queen's this year after the Italian withdrew with injury. Berrettini, 27, won the West London tournament last year, but has had a difficult 2023 so far, exiting the Australian Open in the first round to Andy Murray, and then missing two months of tennis between April and June due to a problem in the stomach area, which appears to have resurfaced.
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Defending champion Matteo Berrettini has withdrawn from Queen's with an abdominal injury.
Berrettini would have been going for a hat-trick of titles at the West London event after also triumphing in 2021, but has suffered an injury-pockmarked 2023, and appears to have a problem in a similar area to the complaint that kept him out of the recent clay-court season.
Berrettini returned to action at the Stuttgart Open earlier this month, but lost heavily in his first match against fellow Italian Lorenzo Sonego, and looked to be in tears as he left the court.
"I’m really sad to have to withdraw from the tournament, and not get the chance to defend my title," Berrettini said.
"I wish the tournament and everyone involved a successful week. I look forward to coming back next year."
The action at Queen's kicks off on Monday, with British No. 1 Cameron Norrie starting against Miomir Kecmanovic on Monday.
Andy Murray, fresh from winning the Nottingham Open, and tournament debutant Carlos Alcaraz begin their campaigns on Tuesday.
Of his upcoming appearance in London, Murray said: "It's been one of my favourite places to play over the years.
"Unfortunately I had to miss last year, I picked up an injury the day before the tournament which was unfortunate, but I'm feeling good this year."
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You can watch daily highlights from Wimbledon at 10pm on Eurosport 2 and discovery+ from July 3, as well as the two singles finals live on July 15 and 16.
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