Matteo Berrettini is currently on a medical hiatus due to chronic hip pain, a condition that surfaced during his remarkable 2026 mid-season resurgence.
After fighting back from outside the top 100 to reach the French Open quarterfinals, the Italian star suffered an acute hip and psoas injury that forced a tearful retirement mid-match.
While he briefly returned for Wimbledon, ongoing physical limitations have led him to withdraw from subsequent July events in Gstaad and Kitzbühel.
Currently, he is focusing on an intensive rehabilitation program designed to ensure he is fully fit for the upcoming American hard-court tour.
Why Did Matteo Berrettini Retire from the French Open?
The 2026 French Open was supposed to be the site of a definitive comeback for the man known as “The Hammer,” yet it ended in profound emotional and physical distress. Before the injury struck, Berrettini was authoring one of the most compelling stories of the tournament.
The Historic Run at Roland Garros
Entering the tournament ranked World No. 105, Berrettini was forced to claw through grueling five-set matches just to advance through the early rounds. His perseverance paid off as he became the lowest-ranked quarterfinalist in the history of the tournament.
This “vintage” performance was a reminder of his elite status, as he utilized his massive serve and forehand to dismantle higher-ranked opponents, eventually vaulting his ranking back up to World No. 42.
The Quarterfinal Heartbreak and Hip Injury
The momentum came to a devastating halt on June 3, 2026, during his quarterfinal clash against fellow Italian Matteo Arnaldi. While trailing 7-5, 5-2, Berrettini suffered a severe acute left hip and psoas injury that made continued play impossible.
The image of Berrettini crying in his chair before officially retiring became a defining moment of the season.
In a post-match press conference, he expressed his deep frustration, stating, “I’m the last one that wants to retire. I’m so tired of it,” reflecting the mental toll of his recurring physical battles.
Understanding the Specific Injuries Plaguing Berrettini
To understand what happened to Matteo Berrettini, one must look at the specific physiological challenges he has faced throughout the 2026 season. His power-heavy game puts immense strain on his core and lower body, leading to a series of cascading issues.
The Early Season Oblique Strain
Before the hip issues took center stage, Berrettini’s year began with a significant setback involving an oblique and abdominal muscle strain. This injury was severe enough to impact his core strength, which is essential for his high-velocity serve.
This specific ailment forced his withdrawal from a highly anticipated first-round match at the Australian Open against Alex de Minaur, setting a cautionary tone for the rest of his season.
Acute Psoas Injury and Chronic Hip Pain
The injury sustained during the French Open was initially diagnosed as an acute psoas and hip issue. While initial scans following the tournament suggested there were no massive muscle tears, the condition proved more complex than a simple strain.
It has since evolved into a diagnosis of chronic hip pain. This chronic state is particularly detrimental to a professional athlete because it creates unpredictable flare-ups that can be triggered by the intense lateral movements required on a tennis court.
The Impact of Lateral Movement Limitations
The transition from an acute injury to chronic pain has fundamentally changed how Berrettini’s team approaches his schedule.
Chronic hip pain specifically limits the explosive lateral movement that Berrettini needs to protect his backhand wing and set up his dominant forehand.
Because his movement is currently compromised, his medical staff has prioritized a rehabilitation period over immediate competition to prevent a more permanent, career-ending injury.
Did Berrettini Pull Out? Tracking 2026 Withdrawals
Throughout the 2026 season, the question of whether Berrettini would pull out of scheduled events has been a constant concern for fans and tournament organizers alike.
His medical team has been forced to make several strategic withdrawals to manage his fragile physical state.
| Tournament | Status | Reason for Withdrawal/Retirement |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Open | Withdrew | Oblique/Abdominal Muscle Strain |
| French Open | Retired (QF) | Acute Left Hip/Psoas Injury |
| Gstaad | Withdrew | Rehabilitation for Chronic Hip Pain |
| Kitzbühel | Withdrew | Rehabilitation for Chronic Hip Pain |
The Resilience of “The Hammer”: Career Highs and Lows
Despite the recent setbacks, Berrettini’s career remains one of the most accomplished in Italian tennis history. His ability to reach the final stages of major tournaments has established him as a consistent threat when healthy.
Historic Grand Slam Achievements
Berrettini holds the distinction of being the first Italian man to reach the quarterfinals or better at all four Major tournaments. His career highlights include a runner-up finish at Wimbledon in 2021, where he pushed Novak Djokovic in a high-quality final.
He also reached the semifinals of the US Open in 2019 and the Australian Open in 2022, proving his versatility across grass, hard, and clay courts. These milestones are the reason why his current injury struggles are viewed with such gravity by the tennis world.
Ranking Fluctuations and the Fight for the Top 10
In January 2022, Berrettini achieved a career-high world ranking of No. 6. However, the years following that peak were marred by right hand surgery, COVID-19, and ruptured ankle ligaments, causing his ranking to plummet.
By the start of 2026, he had dropped entirely out of the Top 100. His rise from No. 105 back to No. 42 within a single season demonstrates that his talent level remains world-class, even if his durability is currently in question.
Off-Court Headlines: Relationships and Media Spotlight
Matteo Berrettini’s life away from the tennis court has often been as much of a focal point as his matches. His status as a global sports icon has led to significant media coverage of his personal life, particularly in Italy.
From Ajla Tomljanović to Melissa Satta
For several years, Berrettini was part of a high-profile “tennis power couple” with Australian star Ajla Tomljanović. Their relationship was a central storyline in the Netflix docuseries Break Point, which gave fans an inside look at the pressures of the tour.
Following their split, he dated well-known Italian TV presenter Melissa Satta. Most recently, he had a brief relationship with dancer Vanessa Bellini, which officially concluded in June 2026.
New Romance Rumors and the Peggy Gou Connection
Following his retirement from the French Open and his early exit from Wimbledon, Berrettini was spotted in Ibiza. Social media activity and public sightings at a set performed by South Korean DJ Peggy Gou have fueled intense rumors of a new romance.
While Berrettini has not officially confirmed the relationship, the pairing of a Grand Slam finalist and a global music star has dominated pop culture headlines during his medical hiatus.
Rehabilitation and the Road to the American Hard-Court Tour
The current objective for Matteo Berrettini and his coach, Alessandro Bega, is clear: a full-fitness return for the North American swing. This period is critical for his ranking, as he looks to build on the points earned during his French Open run.
The Strategy Behind the July Hiatus
The decision to skip the July clay-court events in Gstaad and Kitzbühel was not made lightly. However, after a third-round loss to Grigor Dimitrov at Wimbledon—where his movement appeared visibly hampered—his medical staff determined that further play on clay would be counterproductive.
By stepping away from the tour for several weeks, Berrettini is allowing the inflammation in his hip to subside while working on stabilizing the psoas muscle.
Long-Term Career Longevity
At 30 years old, Berrettini is entering a phase of his career where injury management is as important as tactical training. His team is focusing on a specialized rehabilitation program that targets the muscular relapses he has suffered over the last three years.
The goal is to break the cycle of “resurgence followed by relapse” that has defined his trajectory since 2022.
If his body can withstand the rigors of the American hard courts, he remains a dark horse candidate for a deep run at the US Open, a tournament where he has historically excelled.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matteo Berrettini’s Status
What is Matteo Berrettini’s current world ranking?
Following his historic run to the quarterfinals of the 2026 French Open, Berrettini climbed from World No. 105 back into the top 50, currently holding the World No. 42 position.
When will Matteo Berrettini return to professional tennis?
He is currently targeting a return for the American hard-court tour later this summer. He withdrew from his scheduled July appearances to ensure he is fully rehabilitated from chronic hip pain.
Has Matteo Berrettini ever won a Grand Slam?
While he has not yet won a Major title, he reached the final of Wimbledon in 2021 and has made the semifinals or better at three of the four Grand Slams.
What are the primary injuries that have sidelined Berrettini in 2026?
The 2026 season has been impacted by an initial oblique/abdominal strain and a subsequent acute hip/psoas injury that has developed into chronic hip pain.
Who is Matteo Berrettini dating now?
After his split from Vanessa Bellini in June 2026, he has been heavily linked to South Korean DJ Peggy Gou following sightings of the two together in Ibiza.
Is Matteo Berrettini retiring from tennis?
No, he is not retiring, though he expressed significant emotional exhaustion following his French Open injury. He is currently on a “medical hiatus,” which is a temporary break for treatment and recovery.
