Matteo Berrettini enters Wimbledon after Lorenzo Musetti withdrawal

Italian star Matteo Berrettini will take the court at Wimbledon on Monday after Lorenzo Musetti pulled out of the tournament, freeing up a spot in the draw.

Lorenzo Musetti, the Italian rising star, withdrew from Wimbledon just days before the tournament’s first-round matches. His exit opened a direct path for Matteo Berrettini, who had been waiting as the next-best ranked Italian player. The All England Club confirmed the late change on Sunday, giving Berrettini the green light to play his first-round match on Monday.

Musetti, ranked 19th in the world, cited a persistent issue that forced his withdrawal. The 23-year-old had been seeded 16th but will now miss his Grand Slam debut. Berrettini, 28, moves into the main draw without needing to play qualifying.

For Berrettini, this is a rare chance to avoid the early grind of qualifying rounds. The Italian, a former Wimbledon semifinalist in 2021, now has a clear route into the second round. His first match is set for Monday on Centre Court, where he could face a seeded opponent if the draw holds.

The late entry also means Berrettini skips the usual travel and match-play fatigue that comes with extra rounds. That could pay off in a grueling two-week event where fresh legs often matter. His last Grand Slam run at Wimbledon ended in the quarterfinals in 2023, so another deep push would boost his ranking and confidence.

Berrettini’s first-round opponent will be drawn on Sunday night. The Italian could face a top-30 player or a qualifier, depending on where he lands in the draw. His path gets tougher if he meets a seeded opponent in the second round, where the likes of Carlos Alcaraz or Novak Djokovic could loom.

The tournament starts on Monday, with play running through July 14. Berrettini’s form this year has been solid but not spectacular, with a best showing at Roland Garros where he reached the fourth round. A strong Wimbledon run would give him momentum heading into the U.S. hard-court swing.

Musetti’s withdrawal adds to a string of late changes at Wimbledon. The tournament has seen multiple retirements and withdrawals in the men’s draw, forcing organizers to reshuffle the schedule. Berrettini’s inclusion keeps Italy’s representation at two in the main draw, alongside Jannik Sinner.

For fans, it’s a chance to see Berrettini back on Centre Court. His powerful serve and baseline game make him a threat on grass, even if the conditions favor serve-and-volley specialists. The Italian will need to be sharp from the first ball-Wimbledon doesn’t wait for anyone.