Wimbledon 2022: Covid-19 fear deepens as Rafael Nadal’s picture goes viral after Matteo Berrettini pulls out

Covid-19 has struck Wimbledon. It may not be an outbreak as of it, but the fear has deepened after two of the top players in the men’s singles draw have already pulled out of the tournament after testing positive for the dreaded virus. And following the news, a picture of Rafael Nadal has gone viral all over social media with fans expressing their concern.

Italy’s Matteo Berrettini, who was among the title favourites at the 2022 Wimbledon, pulled out of the tournament on Tuesday after testing positive for Covid-19. Berrettini had reached the 2021 final before losing to Novak Djokovic and was on a nine-match winning streak on grass this season which included back-to-back title wins in Stuttgart and Queen’s.

In a statement, the Italian said: “I am heartbroken to announce that I need to withdraw from @wimbledon due to a positive COVID-19 test result. 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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“I have no words to describe the extreme disappointment I feel. The dream is over for this year, but I will be back stronger. Thank you for the support.”

Moment after the big announcement on Instagram, tennis fans expressed concern as Nadal given that the two had made history a few days earlier after they became the first players to practice on Centre Court in Wimbledon history. The two also posed for a picture after the practice session.

Here is how Twitter reacted…

Berrettini became the second player to withdraw from the tournament after Marin Cilic on Monday, who had practiced with Novak Djokovic on the Centre Court as well. Djokovic had won his opener in Wimbledon 2022 on Monday.