Australian Open Shock: What Caused Alex de Minaur's Opponent to Withdraw Just Hours Before the Match?

As the Australian Open approaches, former world No. 6 Matteo Berrettini faces uncertainty regarding his fitness ahead of a highly anticipated first-round match against local favorite Alex de Minaur. Berrettini recently withdrew from an exhibition match at Melbourne Park due to an unspecified illness, raising questions about his readiness for the tournament starting Monday.

Berrettini, who reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open in 2022, had a rocky year in 2025, plagued by injuries. He exited the Australian Open early last year, falling in the second round, and had to retire from the Italian Open due to an oblique injury. The Italian also missed out on competing in both the French Open and US Open, further complicating his comeback.

In a recent exhibition against Norway's Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, Berrettini played only one match before pulling out, prompting concerns about his health just days before the main event. Currently ranked No. 56 in the world, Berrettini has already missed seven Grand Slam tournaments over the past four years, making his return vital for both his career and Italian tennis.

De Minaur, a rising star in Australian tennis and currently ranked No. 6, is preparing for a challenging draw. Though he trails Berrettini in their head-to-head matchup with a record of 2-3, both victories over the Italian came on hard courts, the surface of the Australian Open. “Ultimately, every single player in the draw is extremely tough,” De Minaur stated. “It’s going to be a battle, but I’m looking forward to it. It basically just means that I’m going to have to be firing from the word go.”

The Australian Open marks a crucial opportunity for both players. De Minaur, entering his home Grand Slam with his highest seeding to date, faces a potentially arduous path ahead should he defeat Berrettini. The next round could see him up against either Mariano Navone from Argentina, ranked No. 74, or Serbia's Hamad Medjedovic, currently at No. 96. If he advances further, a likely matchup against American 29th seed Frances Tiafoe looms in the third round, with the possibility of facing Grand Slam nemesis Alexander Bublik in the last 16, and then top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals.

The uncertainty surrounding Berrettini's health adds an intriguing twist to the tournament, heightening the stakes for both players. As Australian tennis fans rally behind De Minaur, they will certainly be watching to see if Berrettini can battle through his illness and reclaim his former glory on the court.