Matteo Berrettini is currently not competing in the later stages of the 2026 Madrid Open because he was eliminated in the first round by Croatian qualifier Dino Prižmić on April 22, 2026. The match concluded in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 6-4.
While the question “Why is Berrettini not playing Madrid?” often stems from his historical pattern of medical withdrawals—including three consecutive years of absences between 2022 and 2024 due to hand surgery, an oblique tear, and tonsillitis—his 2026 departure was performance-based rather than injury-related.
Current Tournament Status: The 2026 Madrid Open Result
The 2026 edition of the Madrid Open marked a significant moment for Berrettini as he was physically available to compete, yet the outcome highlighted ongoing struggles with match consistency.
Unlike previous years where physical ailments prevented his participation, his exit in 2026 was the result of an active defeat during the opening round of the main draw.
Analysis of the Dino Prižmić Match Breakdown
In the first round (Round of 128), Berrettini faced 20-year-old Croatian qualifier Dino Prižmić. The match resulted in a 6-3, 6-4 loss for the Italian, marking his first opening-round exit in the Madrid main draw since he began appearing in the tournament’s primary bracket.
This result contributed to his current all-time main-draw record in Madrid, which stands at 5 wins and 3 losses, yielding a 62.5% win percentage.
Contrast Between 2026 Performance and Historical Form
Berrettini’s 2026 performance stands in stark contrast to his 2021 debut, where he reached the final.
The straight-sets loss to a qualifier indicates a shift in his tournament trajectory, as he was unable to capitalize on the fast clay conditions that previously favored his aggressive style.
This early exit meant he failed to add any wins to his career total of five main-draw victories at this specific Masters 1000 event.
Historical Context: Pre-Tournament Withdrawals (2022–2024)
To understand why fans frequently ask why Berrettini is not playing Madrid, one must examine the period between 2022 and 2024.
During these three years, Berrettini was consistently absent from the entry list or withdrew just before his scheduled matches due to a variety of severe health and physical setbacks.
2024 Absence: Acute Tonsillitis and Medical Intervention
In 2024, Berrettini was forced to pull out of the Masters 1000 event entirely before playing his opening match. The withdrawal was necessitated by a severe bout of the flu that deteriorated into acute tonsillitis accompanied by a high fever.
His medical team determined that competing in such a weakened state would be highly unsafe, leading to his third consecutive year of missing the tournament.
2023 Obstacle: Grade-2 Internal Oblique Muscle Tear
The 2023 season saw Berrettini bypass the Madrid Open during the height of the European clay-court swing. The cause was a grade-2 tear in his internal oblique muscle, which is located in the abdominal area.
This injury was sustained during the Monte Carlo Masters the week prior to Madrid. Consequently, he withdrew to relocate to Barcelona to initiate an intensive physical rehabilitation program.
2022 Gap: Recovery from Right Hand Surgery
In 2022, Berrettini did not enter the Madrid Open main draw. His absence was due to a lengthy recovery period following surgery on his right hand.
This marked the beginning of a multi-year struggle to maintain a consistent presence in the Madrid draw, a tournament where he had previously seen immense success.
Physical Resilience: The 2025 Abdominal Strain Incident
The 2025 Madrid Open was a microcosm of Berrettini’s career: a blend of high-level milestone achievements followed by sudden physical breakdown. After missing three years of action, his return to the Spanish capital was both celebratory and abbreviated.
Achieving the 200th Career Victory Milestone
During the 2025 event, Berrettini reached a significant historical milestone in the second round (Round of 64). He staged a comeback victory against Marcos Giron, winning 6-7(3), 7-6(6), 6-1.
This win represented his 200th career tour-level victory, making him only the eighth Italian man in tennis history to reach this landmark.
Mid-Match Retirement in the Third Round vs. Jack Draper
The momentum from his 200th win was halted in the third round (Round of 32) against Jack Draper. After losing a highly competitive first-set tiebreak 7-6(6), Berrettini was forced to abruptly retire from the match.
He informed Draper and the officials that an abdominal muscle strain, which had originally flared up during his match against Giron, had become too severe to continue.
Statistical Peak: The 2021 Masters 1000 Final Run
The standard by which all of Berrettini’s Madrid performances are measured is his 2021 debut. During this tournament, he demonstrated the full potential of his game on high-altitude clay, which remains his career-best result at an ATP Masters 1000 event.
Match Breakdown of the Path to the Final
In 2021, Berrettini secured four consecutive victories to reach the final. His path included a Round of 32 win over Fabio Fognini (6-3, 6-4), a Round of 16 victory against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (6-1, 6-4), a Quarter-Final win over Cristian Garín (5-7, 6-3, 6-0), and a Semi-Final triumph over Casper Ruud (6-4, 6-4).
Serving Efficiency and the Final Against Alexander Zverev
A defining characteristic of his 2021 run was his serving dominance; he won 84% of his first-serve points across the tournament leading up to the final.
In the championship match against Alexander Zverev, Berrettini won the opening set in a tiebreak 7-6(8). However, the physical intensity of the match shifted, and he ultimately lost 6-7(8), 6-4, 6-3.
Comparative Analysis of Madrid Open Performance and Participation
The following table details the year-by-year participation, results, and specific reasons for tournament exits or absences for Matteo Berrettini at the Madrid Open.
| Year | Final Result / Status | Primary Reason for Exit or Absence | Key Statistics / Milestone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Lost in Round 1 | Defeated by Dino Prižmić (6-3, 6-4) | First-ever R1 main draw loss |
| 2025 | Retired in Round 3 | Abdominal muscle injury (vs. J. Draper) | Achieved 200th career win |
| 2024 | Withdrew (Pre-tourney) | Acute tonsillitis and severe fever | Third consecutive withdrawal |
| 2023 | Withdrew (Pre-tourney) | Grade-2 internal oblique muscle tear | Sustained in Monte Carlo |
| 2022 | Did Not Enter | Recovering from right hand surgery | Missed entire clay swing |
| 2021 | Runner-Up | Lost final to Alexander Zverev | 84% first-serve points won |
| 2018 | Failed to Qualify | Lost in first round of qualifying | Initial tournament attempt |
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Berrettini’s Madrid Status
Is Berrettini out of the 2026 Madrid Open?
Yes, Matteo Berrettini is no longer competing in the 2026 Madrid Open. He was eliminated in the first round on April 22, 2026, by Dino Prižmić in straight sets.
What was the specific abdominal injury Berrettini suffered in Madrid?
In 2025, Berrettini suffered an abdominal muscle strain that flared up during his second-round match against Marcos Giron and forced a retirement in his third-round match against Jack Draper. In 2023, he suffered a more severe grade-2 internal oblique muscle tear.
How many times has Berrettini reached the Madrid Open final?
Matteo Berrettini has reached the Madrid Open final exactly once, in 2021. He lost that final to Alexander Zverev in three sets despite winning the first set.
Who defeated Berrettini in his most recent Madrid appearance?
In his most recent appearance in 2026, he was defeated by the 20-year-old Croatian qualifier Dino Prižmić.
