'Feel so bad for him': Tennis world left saddened over 'awful' scenes
Alex de Minaur has become the only player on the ATP Tour to make the round of 16 at every Masters 1000 event so far in 2025. But the Aussie's win over Hugo Dellien at the Italian Open was overshadowed by shattering scenes for home favourite Matteo Berrettini.
Berrettini retired hurt while trailing Casper Ruud 5-7 0-2 on Monday night, and was reduced to tears as he walked off the court. The 29-year-old Italian has been plagued by injuries throughout his career, and was clearly devastated to retire in front of his home fans in Rome.
He also retired hurt in his third-round match against Jack Draper at the Madrid Open last month due to an abdominal injury. The former Wimbledon finalist was hoping to make a deep run at home at the Italian Open, playing the tournament for the first time since 2021.
'I feel so bad for him because this is where he's from, his home Masters 1000,' said Ruud, who signed the camera 'Sorry Matteo. Feel better!' after the match. 'I know he hasn't played since 2021 because of other injuries.
'I know he's worked hard to come back and now he gets another setback. I hope it's not a long thing for him. I hope he can fix it soon and have a speedy recover. He's a hell of a player.'
Tennis fans and commentators were left shattered for Berrettini. Some described it as "awful" and "devastating" that the 29-year-old was forced to retire yet again.
It's so sad seeing Matteo Berrettini go through this over and over again... https://t.co/UAuVUIVi0Y
— Biola Solace-Chukwu (@Beeorlicious) May 12, 2025
anyway absolutely awful for Berrettini though ❤️🩹 He retires so often sigh
— Ame (@Amekingdra) May 12, 2025
Sad for Berrettini, hope he recovers and is back soon ❤️🩹Happy to see Casper back to his best too ❤️
— 😎 ANNEKE IN THE MAKING 💅 (@angelritmiquero) May 12, 2025
Berrettini retires down 5-7 0-2 vs Ruud immediately after getting broken.First time Berrettini has been able to play Rome since 2021 and this is how it ends. So sad.Ruud all class as always though. pic.twitter.com/LhbZQkYEKU
— absolutelyEpic137 🐝 (@totallyEpic137) May 12, 2025
Meanwhile, de Minaur was too good for Bolivian qualifier Dellien in a 6-4 6-4 victory. But the Australian No.1 had to overcome being interrupted by a flyover from the Italian Air Force's acrobatic team, the Frecce Tricolori (Tricolour arrows).
The match was paused twice on Monday - once for an unwell spectator and then for the Air Force flypast - and de Minaur went off his game. The seventh-seeded lost focus - and his serve - before getting back on track. It made de Minaur the only player on tour to make the round of 16 at every ATP 1000 event this year.
Players to reach the last sixteen of *every* Masters 1000 event in 2025 so far:Alex de Minaur 😈#IBI25 pic.twitter.com/BzIylWyZVW
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 12, 2025
"I didn't handle it very well, because I got broken straight away," said de Minaur, who now plays 12th-seeded American Tommy Paul. "I did well to bounce back and get the break back, but I've got to be a little bit better mentally to not let those things, outside factors affect me."
And World No.1 Jannik Sinner continued his charge in his comeback to tennis after a three-month doping ban, beating lucky loser Jesper de Jong 6-4 6-2. Sinner will now play Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo, who knocked him out in the last 16 the last time they played in Rome in 2023.
"Tomorrow will be a big day for me, because I'll need to raise my game against him," Sinner said. "He's played some really good tennis recently, he got to the semi-finals in Madrid and he's playing some real tennis. He'll be confident."
Over 10,000 fans crammed into the stands on Monday to watch Sinner. The returning World No.1 is trying to become the first Italian in 49 years to win the ATP 1000 event in Rome.
"It's good to have him back," Paul said of Sinner after beating Tomas Machac 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-4. "He's such a big figure in the sport. He sets the bar right now."
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