Musa
Matteo Berrettini’s return to form hit another frustrating roadblock as the Italian was forced to retire from his Madrid Open clash with Britain’s Jack Draper after a tightly contested opening set. The match began with both players locked in a high-quality baseline battle, exchanging heavy groundstrokes and holding serve with authority. Draper, showing maturity and resilience beyond his years, matched Berrettini’s firepower and kept his composure during key moments.
The opening set was tightly fought, with neither player giving much away. Draper managed to edge it 7–5 after capitalizing on a slight dip in Berrettini’s first-serve percentage late in the set. It was a critical moment that tipped the balance, but few expected what would come next. As the players sat during the changeover, Berrettini appeared to be in visible discomfort. Moments later, he informed the umpire of his decision to retire, stunning the crowd at Caja Mágica.
The nature of the injury is yet to be fully confirmed, but the early retirement raises concerns for Berrettini, who has been plagued by fitness issues over the past two seasons. His powerful game has repeatedly been interrupted by physical setbacks, and this latest withdrawal will be especially disappointing after a promising return to form earlier in the tournament.
For Draper, the victory sends him into the next round, albeit under difficult circumstances. While he’ll take confidence from his performance in the first set, his thoughts will surely be with Berrettini and his recovery.
Musa
John Owolabi
