Australian Open, Luciano Darderi explains retirement: ‘I was in danger of splitting’

The disappointment there'è but the desire è to look forward.

Luciano Darderi è was forced out of the Australian Open 2025 after just two sets, bowed out by chest pains during his match with Spaniard Pedro Martinez. The 2002-born Italian opted to retire after a medical timeout that did not solve his problems. And, coldly, he explained from Melbourne the reasons for his decision.

"I am very sorry,” Darderi admitted to the microphones of 'Sky Sports' -I had prepared so much to be here at the Australian Open, in such a beautiful place and playing in the evening in Melbourne. I am sorry because this pain in my chest just did not allow me to finish the match. By this time I was almost down two sets and I felt I wouldn&#39t get a chance to play again. And I definitely wasn't going to make it another three sets at a high level".

" Still the season è long, and I didn&#39t want to get hurt. So I didnè I didnè t want to risk splitting my chest for a match where by then I was down and wouldnè t be able to recover to victory. The pain was greater on the forehand than on serve and backhand, which are my most important shots. So I decided that withdrawing was the best choice to make. Now we focus on the rest of the season, I aim to do well on clay. The program remains, I hope it is nothing serious", concluded Darderi.

His Australian Open 2025, stopwatch in hand, lasted just an hour and 12 minutes. Darderi ès retirement came at 6-3, 4-1 in favor of his opponent. The 22-year-old Italian had also indulged in a gesture of frustration at 2-0 in the second set won by Martinez, throwing his racket on the ground. Evident during the match were his coughing fits that heavily affected his performance on the court.