Wimbledon 2022: Matteo Berrettini withdraws after testing positive for Covid-19

London, June 28 (IANS) Italy's Matteo Berrettini on Tuesday pulled out of Wimbledon 2022 after testing positive for Covid-19.Eighth seed Berrettini, the runner-up at last ye'r's Wimbledon, became the second player to withdraw from this year's grasscourt Grand Slam due to the coronavirus after Croatia's Marin Cilic on Monday."I am heartbroken to announce that I need to withdraw from @wimbledon due to a positive Covid-19 test result," Berrettini wrote on Instagram, hours before his first-round match against Chile's Cristian Garin."I have had flu symptoms and have 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," he added.The 26-year-old Italian, who had recently won back-to-back titles on grass at Stuttgart and Queen's Club, was seen as a leading contender to win this year's 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 further said.He has now been replaced in the men's draw by lucky loser Elias Ymer of Sweden.
--IANSavn/bsk

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