LAST YEAR’S RUNNER-up and one of the favourites for Wimbledon, Matteo Berrettini, has withdrawn from the tournament after testing positive for coronavirus.
The Italian reached his first grand slam final at the All England Club last summer, losing in four sets to Novak Djokovic, and has been the form player on grass this summer.
After recovering from hand surgery that had ruled him out since March, Berrettini defeated Andy Murray to win an ATP tournament in Stuttgart and then successfully defended his title at Queen’s Club last weekend.
Writing on Instagram, Berrettini said: “I am heartbroken to announce that I need to withdraw from @wimbledon due to a positive COVID-19 test result.
“I have had flu symptoms and 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.
I have no words to describe the extreme disappointed I feel. The dream is over for this year, but I will be back stronger. Thank you for the support.”
Berrettini, who has been replaced by lucky loser Elias Ymer, was the eighth seed and had been due to face Cristian Garin in the opening match on Court One on Tuesday.
His withdrawal follows that of former finalist Marin Cilic, who announced on Monday that he had also tested positive for Covid-19.
Both players were in Rafael Nadal’s half of the draw, with Cilic seeded to be his fourth-round opponent.
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Considering that racing lost the game it might be harder to negotiate such “agreements” in the future.
The omission of Casey looks like a real oversight if best isn’t available. Consistent ball from set pieces will be crucial if we are to stand a chance against SA. Casey hasn’t been tested at international level, which of course Cronin ans Strauss have been, but he’s been the form 2 in the country since the start of the season. His interaction with 2 of Ireland’s nailed on starters (poc and pj) would go a long way to getting fast ball from the lineout. Obviously a hookers job isn’t just darts, but a return rate of less than 90% here will crucify us against SA.
Best isn’t a great darts man, but he’s worth a penalty or 2 and scrums are always solid. I think Casey’s lineout consistency is a good substitute for this, with Cronin or strauss making an abrasive carrying impact from the bench in the end game.
I’d like to have seen Casey get a run-out, but against Georgia…
South Africa are one of the top two teams in the world, possibly the best. They almost certainly have the best pack in the world.
If at all avoidable, it’s not a match where I’d be giving a forward player a debut.
True, but they don’t come much more grizzly than Georgia, none of us have forgotten 2007. If you’re going to ease someone in, it may as well be against Australia!
Racing pay his bills, so I’d say they have first dibs on his services, and rightly so.
No one is saying they shouldn’t are they though