In the all-Italian derby at Roland Garros he was forced to withdraw due to a muscle problem and left in tears
It could have been and was a blue party. But see Matteo Berrettini Leaving Roland Garros in tears is a bit sad. Yet another injury in a career in which he has often had to deal with his physique has not given the 2021 Wimbledon finalist the chance to play their chances against their friend Matteo Arnaldi on equal terms. A muscle problem in his left leg at 7-5, 5-2 for the Ligurian forced Berrettini to retire after the doctor’s intervention was unable to resolve his problems. So he’s going to the semi-final Matteo Arnaldi and will face another Italian, Flavio Cobolli who had beaten the Canadian in the afternoon Auger Aliassime. An all-Italian semi-final as has never been seen in a Slam and an Italian certainly in the final with the hope that Adriano Panatta, winner in 1976 and appointed by the organizers to deliver the trophy to the winner, can place it in the hands of a compatriot. It was a wonderful adventure for both, united by stories of resilience and overturned predictions: before Paris they were out of the top 100, Arnaldi number 104, Berrettini number 105. The latter, having reached the quarterfinals, is back in the top 50. Arnaldi, who continues in the tournament of miracles, rises to 34th place, just four steps away from the best ranking obtained in 2024. Roland Garros marks his definitive return to the top levels, after suffering an injury to his right foot throughout 2025
The match
Nevertheless Berrettini had started better than Arnaldi who in the first games had appeared almost dazed by the magnitude of the event. Berrettini took a 3-0 lead and had the ball to make it 4-0, but at that point Arnaldi understood that he had to react and he did. His service returns became convincing as Berrettini’s percentage of first serve balls decreased and the Ligurian gained ground. On long rallies Berrettini always seemed to be in difficulty, while Arnaldi, despite having just returned from the marathon with Tiafoe, proved to be in great shape. And he broke in the eleventh game of the first set with the break that allowed him to close 7-5. In the second set at 2-1 Berrettini asks for a medical time out to have his left leg treated. He returns to the field, tries to resist, but from his corner they signal him to give up so as not to worsen the injury. And then he leaves in tears, while Arnaldi hugs him.
