Alex de Minaur has received a significant boost in his quest for success at the 2024 Australian Open following the withdrawal of his first-round opponent, Matteo Berrettini. The former world No. 6 announced on social media that he is unable to compete due to a recurrence of abdominal issues that hampered his performance throughout the previous season.
In a heartfelt message posted on Instagram, Berrettini shared, “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.” He expressed disappointment about missing the opportunity to play in Australia, a tournament he holds dear. “It hurts because playing in Australia is always special and after four weeks of intense training I was excited and ready to get going,” he added, while hopeful about a swift return to the sport.
Berrettini’s withdrawal removes a highly anticipated matchup from the tournament, as he was seen as a formidable challenge for de Minaur. The Australian was set to face Berrettini after the Italian’s impressive performance at the recent Kooyong Classic, where he defeated world No. 27 Learner Tien in straight sets.
With Berrettini sidelined, de Minaur will now face Mackenzie McDonald, an American player who has stepped in as a “lucky loser” after losing in the qualifying rounds. McDonald, a seasoned competitor with a career-high ranking of 37, previously advanced to the fourth round at Melbourne Park in 2021, making him a respectable opponent.
De Minaur, who holds the distinction of being the highest-seeded Australian male player in two decades, will compete against McDonald on January 14, 2024, at Rod Laver Arena. The tournament’s main draw commences the day prior, featuring several Australian players in action.
Among those competing on the opening day, Adam Walton faces a daunting challenge against men’s top seed Carlos Alcaraz in the evening session at Rod Laver Arena. Additionally, qualifier Jason Kubler is set to meet American 29th seed Frances Tiafoe on John Cain Arena at 17:00. Wildcard Talia Gibson will kick off the action on Kia Arena against Anna Blinkova, followed by Tristan Schoolkate facing off against 32nd seed Corentin Moutet.
The tournament’s Opening Week, which includes qualifying matches, concerts, and the popular One Point Slam event, has already drawn an impressive crowd of 217,999 attendees. This figure nearly doubles the previous record of 116,528 set in the prior year, highlighting the growing enthusiasm for the Australian Open.
As the competition unfolds, de Minaur’s path appears clearer, but he will need to remain focused as he seeks to capitalize on this unexpected opportunity at one of tennis’s most prestigious events.
