Matteo Berrettini did not retire from the 2026 Wimbledon Championships, despite widespread rumors. He completed his tournament run, reaching the third round before losing a grueling five-set match to Grigor Dimitrov (6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 6-3).
The confusion surrounding his status likely stems from a mid-match retirement at the 2026 French Open just weeks earlier due to an acute hip injury, or his 2022 Wimbledon withdrawal caused by COVID-19.
Following the 2026 grass season, Berrettini was diagnosed with chronic hip pain and withdrew from subsequent clay-court events to prioritize his recovery.
Did Matteo Berrettini Retire from Wimbledon in 2026?
The short answer is no, but the context of his physical condition during the grass season provides a clearer picture of why fans might be asking this question.
While he finished his matches at the All England Club, his physical struggles were a constant theme of his 2026 campaign.
The Grigor Dimitrov Match and Exit
Matteo Berrettini’s journey at Wimbledon 2026 concluded in a high-stakes third-round battle against Grigor Dimitrov.
Unlike a retirement where a player stops mid-match, Berrettini fought through all five sets, eventually falling with a scoreline of 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 6-3. This match demonstrated his resilience but also highlighted the physical toll the tournament was taking on his body.
Misconceptions Rooted in Previous Withdrawals
Public confusion often arises from past incidents where Berrettini was forced to leave a tournament prematurely. Most notably, in 2022, he had to withdraw before his first-round match after testing positive for COVID-19.
Additionally, his mid-match exit at the 2026 French Open—just one month before Wimbledon—created a narrative of physical frailty that led many to assume his Wimbledon exit was also a retirement.
Understanding the Injury: French Open vs. Wimbledon
To understand the Italian’s current health status, one must look at the sequence of events beginning in May 2026. The transition from the clay of Roland Garros to the grass of London is notoriously difficult for players with lower-body issues.
The French Open Quarterfinal Incident
At the 2026 French Open, Berrettini was performing at an elite level until his quarterfinal match against Matteo Arnaldi. During this encounter, he suffered an acute hip injury that made it impossible for him to continue, forcing a mid-match retirement.
This specific event is the primary reason many fans mistakenly believe he retired from Wimbledon shortly thereafter.
The Shift from Acute Injury to Chronic Pain
While Berrettini was able to recover sufficiently to compete at Wimbledon, the injury was not entirely resolved.
After his loss to Dimitrov, medical professionals conducted further evaluations which revealed that the “acute” injury had transitioned into a state of chronic hip pain.
This diagnosis is significant because chronic conditions require longer rest periods and different rehabilitation protocols compared to sudden, sharp injuries.
The 2022 COVID-19 Withdrawal: A Historic Setback
Looking back at Berrettini’s history at the All England Club, the 2022 season remains one of the most frustrating chapters of his career. It serves as a major touchpoint for why fans frequently check his retirement or withdrawal status.
A Positive Test at the Worst Time
In 2022, Berrettini entered Wimbledon as one of the heavy favorites, having won 11 consecutive grass-court matches in 2021 and showing dominant form.
However, he was forced to pull out of the tournament right before his opening match due to a positive COVID-19 test. He had been suffering from flu-like symptoms and made the difficult choice to isolate to protect the rest of the players and staff.
The Impact on His Career Momentum
The 2022 withdrawal was a psychological and professional blow. Having reached the final the year before, he was in a prime position to challenge for the title again.
Missing an entire Major while in peak form is a rare misfortune that has colored the public’s perception of his reliability in the years following that incident.
Analyzing Berrettini’s 2026 Wimbledon Performance
Despite the lingering hip issues, Berrettini’s 2026 grass-court run was actually quite impressive when viewed through the lens of match data and opponent quality. He demonstrated that even when not at 100%, his game remains a massive threat on this surface.
| Round | Opponent | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Round | Stan Wawrinka | Win | (Not specified) |
| Second Round | Arthur Fils | Win | (Not specified) |
| Third Round | Grigor Dimitrov | Loss | 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 6-3 |
In the opening rounds, he defeated three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka and the rising French star Arthur Fils. These victories showed that his serve and forehand were still functioning at a high level.
The five-set loss to Dimitrov was a testament to his stamina, even if his hip eventually limited his movement in the final set.
What is Matteo Berrettini’s Grass-Court Legacy?
Even with the recent injury concerns, Berrettini’s place in Italian tennis history is secure. His performance on grass is statistically among the best of his generation, characterized by a powerful “hammer” serve and an aggressive baseline game.
The Historic 2021 Final Against Djokovic
The absolute pinnacle of Berrettini’s career occurred in 2021 when he became the first Italian man in history to reach a Wimbledon singles final.
During that historic summer, he won 11 consecutive matches on grass, defeating top-tier opponents like Hubert Hurkacz and Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Although he lost the final to Novak Djokovic in four sets, he managed to take the opening set, proving he could compete with the greatest players in the history of the sport.
A Consistent Record at the All England Club
Over seven appearances at Wimbledon, Berrettini has amassed an all-time singles record of 16 wins and 7 losses. This 16-7 record is a point of pride for Italian tennis fans.
He has reached at least the fourth round in three different years (2019, 2021, 2023), showing a level of consistency on the surface that few other modern players can match.
Post-Wimbledon 2026: The Decision to Withdraw from Gstaad
The news that follows a Major is often just as important as the results within it. For Berrettini, the end of Wimbledon marked the beginning of a necessary hiatus to address his health.
Medical Advice and Necessary Rest
After the loss to Dimitrov, Berrettini’s medical team conducted a thorough review of his hip. Because the pain was persistent and classified as chronic, doctors advised him to withdraw from his scheduled appearances in Gstaad and Kitzbühel in late July.
These tournaments are played on clay, a surface that requires significant lateral movement and sliding, which would have put undue stress on his recovering hip.
Prioritizing the US Hard-Court Swing
The decision to skip the late-summer clay events was a strategic move aimed at the North American hard-court season. By choosing to rest and rehab in July, Berrettini and his team hope to ensure he is fully fit for the US Open.
For a player of his caliber, sacrificing smaller ATP 250 events to ensure health for a Grand Slam is a standard but difficult choice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Berrettini’s Status
Is Matteo Berrettini out of Wimbledon?
Yes, he was eliminated in the third round of the 2026 tournament following his loss to Grigor Dimitrov.
Has Berrettini ever won Wimbledon?
No. His best result was as a runner-up in 2021.
Did he retire during his last match?
No, he finished the match against Dimitrov but later withdrew from future tournaments due to chronic hip pain.
What was the cause of his 2022 withdrawal?
He tested positive for COVID-19 right before the tournament began.
Who did he beat in 2026?
He secured wins over Stan Wawrinka and Arthur Fils before his exit.
Conclusion: The Path to Recovery
Matteo Berrettini’s 2026 Wimbledon campaign may not have ended with a trophy, but it was far from a failure.
Despite the lingering effects of a hip injury sustained during the French Open, he fought through to the third round and added to his impressive legacy at the All England Club.
His current absence from the tour is not a retirement from the sport, but a calculated rest period to address chronic pain and prepare for the future.
As one of the most successful grass-court players in recent years, his 16-7 record and 2021 final appearance remain benchmarks for Italian tennis.
While fans are understandably concerned when they see “retirement” associated with his name, the reality is that Berrettini is simply navigating the physical demands of elite professional tennis.
By prioritizing his long-term health now, he is positioning himself for a strong return during the upcoming hard-court season.
