The Italian has withdrawn from the ATP Finals due to an abdominal injury. By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday November 16, 2021

Matteo Berretini‘s run at the Nitto ATP Finals has come to an and. The Italian announced on Tuesday that his left abdominal injury had forced him to retire from the competition – he will be replaced by alternate Jannik Sinner, who will face Hubert Hurkacz on Tuesday evening in Turin.

Tennis Express

Berrettini took to social media to announce the news.

"I thought, reflected, cried and finally decided … My finals end here, I am destroyed, I never thought I would have to give up the most important tennis event ever held in Italy in this way,” Berrettini wrote. “The truth is that as much as I wanted to play in front of you once again, I felt and therefore decided that my body is not ready to face the challenges that lie ahead.”

The decision to pull out ends a fantastic season that saw Berrettini reach the Wimbledon final. The 25-year-old World No.7 became the first Italian men’s singles finalist in Wimbledon history and first Italian Grand Slam men’s singles finalist since Adriano Panatta at 1976 Roland Garros.

He finishes the season with a 41-12 record, with titles at Queen’s Club and Belgrade.

“To say that I am sad would not do justice to the state of mind that I am in, I feel robbed of something that I have conquered with years of effort and sweat. It was not an easy decision, but I am convinced that it is the best for me and for my career. Thank you for your continued support and for the thousands of messages you have sent me, you have moved me”

Berretini’s withdraw makes Daniil Medvedev‘s qualification for the semifinals official. The Russian won his seventh straight ATP Finals match on Tuesday, 6-3, 6-7(3), 7-6(6) over Alexander Zverev.

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