'So sad': Tennis fans left shattered over 'devastating' news

Tennis fans were left devastated on Tuesday when Matteo Berrettini was forced to withdraw from the ATP Finals with injury.

The Italian star announced the sad news on Tuesday after suffering a left oblique injury against Alexander Zverev on Sunday.

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Berrettini took a medical timeout early in the second set against Zverev before being forced to retire hurt.

He has subsequently withdrawn from the entire tournament, with Jannik Sinner coming in to replace him.

Berrettini was left heartbroken by the injury and his withdrawal from the prestigious event on home soil.

"I've been thinking, thinking, crying and finally decided... My finals end here,” he wrote on social media.

“I'm devastated, never thought I'd have to give up the most important tennis event ever held in Italy like this.

"The truth is that as much as I wanted to play in front of you one more time, I felt and therefore decided that my body is not ready to face the challenges I face.

“Saying I'm sad wouldn't do justice to the mood I'm in, I feel robbed of something I've conquered with years of effort and sweat.

“It wasn't an easy decision, but I'm convinced it's the best for me and my career.

"Thank you for your continued support and the thousands of messages you sent me, you made me emotional.”

Sinner can theoretically qualify for the semi-finals if he wins two matches, but cannot finish above a player who wins two of three.

Fans expressed their sadness on social media for Berrettini after a breakout year that saw him surge into the world top 10 and make the final at Wimbledon.

Daniil Medvedev reaches semis at ATP Finals

Meanwhile, defending champion Daniil Medvedev has moved into the semi-finals after a hard-fought match against Zverev, winning 6-3 6-7 (3-7) 7-6 (8-6) in their Red Group clash.

The Russian World No.2, who won his first grand slam this year at the US Open, raced to a 3-0 lead in the first set on Tuesday by frequently coming to the net and looked like he would take a comfortable fifth straight victory over Zverev.

However, the German World No.3 found some confidence in Torino to bring himself back into the contest, firing down 13 aces and taking the second set on a tie-break.

The pair could not be separated in the decider with neither able to break serve and both soaking up some heavy hitting.

In the decisive tie-break, Zverev saved two match points but could only hit a backhand into the net on a third to give Medvedev his seventh straight win at the ATP Finals after two hours and 35 minutes.

Zverev, 24, faces Poland's Hubert Hurkacz in his final round-robin match looking to clinch a place in the last four.

The Green Group resumes on Wednesday with Novak Djokovic facing Andrey Rublev and Stefanos Tsitsipas taking on Casper Ruud.

with AAP

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