Aug 31, 2023; Flushing, NY, USA; Matteo Berrettini of Italy talks to his box during a match against Arthur Rinderknech of France on day four of the 2023 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo
(Reuters) - Former world number six Matteo Berrettini has withdrawn from the Australian Open due to a foot injury, organisers said on Sunday.
Berrettini was due to face Greek seventh seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in a high-profile first-round match on Monday.
"Matteo Berrettini has withdrawn from the Australian Open with a right foot injury. He will be replaced in the draw by Zizou Bergs. Wishing you a quick recovery," organisers said in a statement.
Berrettini had an injury-riddled 2023 season, which was brought to an end when he was forced to withdraw from his second-round match at the U.S. Open after injuring an ankle.
The 27-year-old, who also missed a few weeks of action in 2023 due to a tear in an oblique muscle, has dropped down to 125 in the men's rankings.
The Australian Open runs from Jan. 14-28.
(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Nashik, India; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
