Bad news in Melbourne: Matteo Berrettini has withdrawn from the Australian Open.
The Italian confirmed the decision on Saturday, pulling out of his scheduled first-round match with Alex de Minaur and clearing space in the draw for a lucky loser, a development that instantly changes one of the tournament’s most talked-about opening matches.
Berrettini Pulls Out And The Immediate Facts
“I’m really sorry to have to withdraw from the tournament,”
Matteo Berrettini
Berrettini will be replaced in the draw by American Mackenzie McDonald, a late call-up who lost in qualifying but now steps in as the lucky loser and inherits a very different opportunity. Berrettini is a former No. 6 in the PIF ATP Rankings and he reached the Australian Open semi-finals in 2022, so his absence is significant.
The withdrawal followed reports of an abdomen problem that had affected his 2025 season, and Berrettini posted on social media that the issue recurred. He wrote, “Unfortunately I’ve felt discomfort in my obliques once again and I won’t be ready to perform at my best level for five sets,” underlining the medical risk of trying to compete.
The news robs the tournament of a high-profile, first-round blockbuster and forces fans to recalibrate expectations for that section of the draw. What looked like an early showdown between a big-hitting European and Australia’s best seed is now a different storyline with a home crowd focus and a last-minute outsider stepping up.
What The Switch Means For Alex de Minaur
Alex de Minaur benefits from a less brutal opener after the switch, turning a match against a former Wimbledon finalist into a contest with a returning lucky loser. De Minaur had momentum after beating Learner Tien at the Kooyong Classic last week and will now meet McDonald on Rod Laver Arena on Monday afternoon.
Mackenzie McDonald is no weekend warrior; he is a respected tour veteran with a career-high ranking of 37 and a best Melbourne Park run to the fourth round in 2021. Having lost in qualifying, he now gets that rare second bite at the apple, and he knows how to make the most of a sudden opportunity.
De Minaur also carries extra local weight as the highest Australian men’s seed at the tournament for the first time in two decades, which means crowd attention and media scrutiny will follow his early matches closely. A gentler opener matters more when the home narratives are involved.
Broader Tournament Picture And Attendance Bounce
The main draw gets underway with a raft of intriguing early matches beyond de Minaur’s slot, including Adam Walton facing top seed Carlos Alcaraz and Jason Kubler meeting the American seed Frances Tiafoe. Wildcards and qualifiers will fill the opening sessions, keeping Melbourne Park lively regardless of headline shifts.
Organisers also have numbers to celebrate: Opening Week attendance surged to 217,999, nearly double the previous tally of 116,528. The crowd figure is a clear reminder that fan appetite remains huge and the stadium energy will be intense from day one through the big nights.
Berrettini’s message mixed apology and gratitude, telling fans he had loved playing in Melbourne and thanking organisers, while expressing a hope to return soon. He wrote, “I have always enjoyed being and playing here and feeling your incredible support. Thank you to the tournament for their fantastic organisation and I hope to see all of you again very soon.”
On the wider calendar the withdrawal is another reminder of how managing body niggles has become central to modern scheduling and results. Berrettini missed both the French Open and the US Open in 2025 due to the same general abdominal trouble, so his timeline for recovery will shape the rest of his season and his availability at upcoming events.
From a draw perspective this is a small seismic event: it clears a tough early path for de Minaur, hands McDonald a big moment to revive his run, and slightly alters momentum in that quarter. For tournament-makers, it is inconvenient; for other players, it is a reminder that opportunity can arrive at odd moments.
Expect coaches and physios to be in the spotlight as the fortnight unfolds, with the emphasis on matching playing ambition to realistic recovery plans. Berrettini’s calm public tone suggests he is trying to be measured, but fans and rivals will watch closely to see how fast he can return to competitive condition.
Ultimately this story is about the sport’s fragile balance between spectacle and human limitations. The draw will adapt, the crowd will roar, and for now the headlines shift from a potential blockbuster to the unpredictable, often entertaining reality that is Grand Slam tennis.
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Christoph Friedrich is a German tennis player and coach currently residing in Oakland, California. He began his tennis journey at the age of eight and has since dedicated his life to the sport. After working as a tennis coach and hitting partner in New York City for eight years, Christoph decided to share his knowledge and experience with tennis players around the world by creating the My Tennis Expert blog. His goal is to make tennis education accessible to everyone and help players select the best equipment for their game, from racquets and strings to shoes and overgrips. Christoph's extensive research and expertise in tennis technology make him a valuable resource for players of all levels.
