Berrettini’s announcement of his retirement came just about two hours before he went on the pitch for the first round match against Cristian Garin and was the final blow to a Grand Slam tournament that was already smaller than usual for the stars and had been removed. Rankings for this edition of the men’s and women’s tours. Beretini, who is unbeaten on the pitch this season and was No. 8 at Wimbledon, was one of the top contenders for the men’s title. His withdrawal came a day after another player, Marin Cilic, No. 14 from Croatia and Wimbledon finalist in 2017, also retired after testing positive. The double withdrawal has raised the prospect of an epidemic among the Wimbledon player team, which is already missing many stars due to injury and the banning of the tournament to Russian and Belarusian players. Beretini and Cilic have been in contact with many players in recent weeks. They both played in the Queen’s Club London Tournament, which ended on June 19, with Beretini winning the singles title and Cilic reaching the semifinals. They both trained at Wimbledon last week and used the locker rooms for the first players. Beretini trained at Center Court on Thursday with Rafael Nadal, No. 2. Cilic trained at Center Court with Novak Djokovic, No. 1 seed. Djokovic, who has said he remains unvaccinated for the coronavirus, won his first-round bout on Monday, defeating South Korea’s Kwon Sun-woo in four sets. Djokovic served particularly well, but was far from perfect in other areas, as he seemed low on energy at one stage and submerged in a change. On Tuesday, Nadal was to play at Wimbledon for the first time since 2019, facing Francisco Cerundolo in the first round at Center Court. Wimbledon was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic and introduced strict restrictions last year, following the instructions of the British government. Coronavirus testing was required for players, support team members, and tournament officials and staff. But with government relaxation looming this year, no testing is currently required at Wimbledon. In a statement, the All England Club said its policy was “in line with agreed practice throughout the United Kingdom”. The association said that some health and safety measures are still in force. “We have maintained enhanced hand cleaning and disinfection functions and offer full medical support to anyone who is feeling unwell,” the statement said. No tournament masks are required, but the players’ medical team continues to wear them for consultation, and the club emphasized that Wimbledon’s health and safety policies are subject to regular review and could be updated. But the tournament clearly has a problem, which could get bigger. In total, five of the top 20 men were unable to play at Wimbledon due to disqualifications, injuries or illness. Russia’s No. 1 Daniil Medvedev was barred from competing after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and Wimbledon’s decision to ban the Russians and their Belarussian allies prompted the tours to retaliate by removing the standings from the tournament. Alexander Zverev No. 2 stays out for a long time after rupturing ligaments in his right ankle at the French Open earlier this month. There was also an early reversal on Monday when Hubert Hurkacz, the No. 7 seed and strong contender, lost in five sets in the first round to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. Berettini, an Italian with 6-legged straps, lost several months of action earlier this season due to surgery on his right arm, his main arm. However, he returned to the grass earlier this month and won consecutive titles at Stuttgart and the Queen’s Club. “I am cracked,” Beretini said in a post on his Instagram account announcing his retirement. “I have had flu symptoms and I have been isolated for the last few days. “Although the symptoms were not serious, I decided it was important to have another test this morning to protect the health and safety of my teammates and everyone else in the tournament.” Berrettini, like many of the top players, stayed in private accommodation in Wimbledon and not in one of the player hotels in central London. He has not been in his place at the All England Club since Saturday and now, despite his thunderous service and forehand, he will have to wait until next year. “I have no words to describe the extreme frustration I feel,” he said. “The dream is over for this year, but I will come back stronger.” Cilic, 33, was also in renewed form, defeating Medvedev in the fourth round of the French Open on his way to the semifinals. With his great range, huge service and flat base strength, he is dangerous on the grass and was, like Berrettini, one of the players who watched closely in the lower half of the men’s draw. Cilic could face Nadal in the fourth round. Berettini could face him in the semifinals. But now Nadal’s course, if he stays healthy, seems much less frightening.
