It was learned on Monday that 2014 U.S. Open champion and 2017 Wimbledon finalist Marin Cilic was forced to withdraw from this year’s Wimbledon Championships after he tested positive for COVID-19.
The coronavirus has now knocked another recognizable name out of the men’s singles tournament.
Per The Associated Press (h/t ESPN), 2021 Wimbledon runner-up Matteo Berrettini pulled out of this summer’s grass-court Grand Slam on Tuesday due to testing positive for COVID-19.
« I am heartbroken to announce that I need to withdraw from @wimbledon due to a positive COVID-19 test result, » Berrettini wrote in a post shared on Instagram. « I have had flu symptoms and been isolating the last few days. Despite symptoms not being severe, I decided it was important to take another test this morning to protect the health and safety of my fellow competitors and everyone else involved in the tournament.
« I have no words to describe the extreme disappointment I feel. The dream is over for this year, but I will be back stronger. »
Berrettini began the final full week of June at No. 11 in the official ATP Tour rankings.
« We have maintained enhanced cleaning and hand sanitizing operations, and offer full medical support for anyone feeling unwell, » an All England Club spokesperson said Tuesday in an emailed statement. « We are following U.K. guidance around assessment and isolation of any potential infectious disease. Our player medical team also continue to wear face masks for any consultation. »
According to The AP, Berrettini practiced with Rafael Nadal on Centre Court last week and also interacted with Novak Djokovic. Neither Nadal nor Djokovic had mentioned experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms as of Tuesday afternoon Wimbledon time.