Matteo Berrettini was forced to retire from his French Open quarterfinal match against Matteo Arnaldi on June 18.
What happened?
The 30-year-old Italian started strong, taking a 3-0 lead with a double break, but began experiencing discomfort in his left hip during the opening set.
The pain worsened as the match went on, and despite a medical timeout, Berrettini was unable to continue, trailing 7-5, 5-2.
Why it matters for Matteo Berrettini
Berrettini's retirement marks a disappointing end to his French Open campaign, and he will now focus on recovering in time for the upcoming grass-court season.
The Italian expressed his frustration, saying he is tired of retiring from matches, describing it as the worst feeling.
What comes next?
Berrettini will undergo scans to determine the extent of his hip injury, and he hopes it is not too serious, allowing him to recover quickly.
He acknowledged that retiring was the right decision, considering his future and the risk of exacerbating the injury.
The 2026 French Open quarterfinal retirement is a setback for Berrettini, who was seeking his maiden Grand Slam title.
Matteo Arnaldi, meanwhile, will face Flavio Cobolli in the semifinals, after benefiting from Berrettini's retirement.
Berrettini's coaching team had urged him to retire, but he attempted to continue playing before eventually stopping.
The Italian had dealt with hip issues in the past, but this was a different kind of pain, and he is uncertain about the cause.
Berrettini's disappointment is palpable, but he remains focused on his recovery and future tournaments.
The French Open retirement is a blow to Berrettini's chances of winning a Grand Slam title this year, but he will regroup and prepare for the next challenge.