Last year's finalist Matteo Berrettini pulls out of Wimbledon 2022 after testing positive for COVID-19

Eighth seed Matteo Berrettini, runner-up at last year`s Wimbledon, pulled out of the Championships on Tuesday after testing positive for COVID-19, he said on Instagram. The 26-year-old Italian, who lost to Novak Djokovic in the 2021 final, became the second player to withdraw from this year`s grasscourt Grand Slam due to the coronavirus after Croatia`s Marin Cilic on Monday.

"I am heartbroken to announce that I need to withdraw from @wimbledon due to a positive COVID-19 test result," Berrettini said on his social media account hours before his first-round match against Chile`s Cristian Garin.

"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."

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Berrettini was seen as a leading contender to win this year`s tournament after he claimed back-to-back titles in tuneup events on grass at Stuttgart and Queen`s Club.

"I have no words to describe the extreme disappointment I feel," the Italian added. "The dream is over for this year, but I will be back stronger." Sweden`s Elias Ymer replaced Berrettini in the men`s draw, organisers said.