Roberto Bautista Agut has retired just 23 minutes into his first-round match at the Monte Carlo Masters. The Spanish ace lost in the second round of qualifying but got into the main draw as a lucky loser and came up against Matteo Berrettini in the first match on the main Court Rainier III on Tuesday.
But the match had barely gotten going when the former world No. 9 was forced to throw in the towel while trailing Berrettini 0-4. Bautista Agut appeared hampered in the final point of the fourth game, not moving much around the baseline as he was broken for the second time.
“He’s a long way off, isn’t he?” commentator Nick Lester said. Bautista Agut walked to the back of the court, turned around, and waved his arm towards his team, seemingly saying he was done.
“Is he just saying, ‘Do I pull the plug here?’ It does look that way, doesn’t it?” Lester added, as cameras cut to the Spaniard’s coach, who looked concerned. Bautista Agut played one more point as Berrettini served with a 4-0 lead, but lost it, and walked towards the net to shake hands, taking off his hat.
Berrettini realised what was happening and rushed over for the handshake, asking his opponent what was wrong. The umpire announced that Bautista Agut had retired, sending the Italian through to the second round.
“I think he’s done. What a disappointing start to the day that is,” Lester added. “Berrettini knows all about this; he’s suffered with injuries, but he’s through. Day at the office, just 20 minutes or so. He’ll take that. Disappointing.”
Co-commentator Gilles Muller replied: “Especially being a lucky loser, got a second chance, but unfortunately wasn’t able to take advantage of it, Bautista. Hopefully it’s nothing serious, and he recovers quickly. Quick day at the office, but I’m pretty sure Thomas Enqvist [Berrettini’s coach] is going to book a practice court and get some work done.”
Former world No. 6 Berrettini, a wildcard entrant at this year’s Monte Carlo Masters, will now face seventh seed Daniil Medvedev, who received a bye into the second round.
Bautista Agut retired shortly after 11.30am local time (10.30am BST). The next match on Court Rainier III, which will see Jannik Sinner take on Ugo Humbert, will not begin until 12.15pm local time (11.15am BST).