Matteo Berrettini has been dealt a fresh setback in his comeback plans that will see him miss the opening tournament of the new season.
The 27-year-old has been tormented by multiple injuries in 2023, limiting him to just 26 matches last season. Berretini was last seen in action at the US Open at the end of August, where he sustained an ankle injury during a second-round match against Arthur Rinderknech.
He was forced to retire from that encounter, and the big-serving Italian was forced to shut down his season to seek a treatment plan and return to the tour in 2024. But that doesn't appear to be the case for the seven-time ATP titlist.
Berrettini was due to play in the Brisbane International qualifiers this weekend but has since pulled out from the tournament. Because his ranking has plummeted to a low of No. 92, he hasn't met the cut-off entry for the main draw.
Moreover, Berrettini doesn't qualify for a Protected Ranking because his injury hiatus did not last for at least six consecutive months. Therefore, he will need to rebuild his ranking again painstakingly.
Berrettini has appointed a new coach for the new season in a bid to start on a clean slate after ending his 13-year association with Vincenzo Santopadre. He was linked to former ATP player Thomas Enqvist before the Swede withdrew from the offer due to personal issues.
Berrettini handpicked Francisco Roig, a key member of Rafael Nadal's coaching team in the past, in the hope the Spanish coach would work wonders in his game post-injury - in the same manner he did with Nadal.
It doesn't look like Roig will be on the road for now, and Berrettini's absence from Brisbane could jeopardize his chances of playing the 2024 Australian Open. His name appears in the qualifying draw for the ASB Classic in Auckland, scheduled for the second week of January.
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