Mattia Bellucci has withdrawn from the Wimbledon men's singles draw nearly 48 hours before his scheduled first-round match, the All England Club confirmed. The Italian, ranked world No. 65, will still receive £40,000—half of the first-round prize money—despite not taking the court.
Withdrawal Details
Bellucci, who reached the third round at Wimbledon in 2025, was due to face American Zachary Svajda on Court 11 on Tuesday. His withdrawal marks the first player to pull out after the draw was made. According to Wimbledon rules, players who withdraw after the draw receive 50% of the first-round prize money, which is £80,000 for those who compete.
Replacement and Impact
Bellucci's withdrawal has been filled by lucky loser Pablo Llamas Ruiz of Spain, ranked 119th. Llamas Ruiz lost in the final qualifying round to Tristan Boyer in four sets but now gains entry to the main draw. This will be the first main-draw appearance at Wimbledon for both Svajda and Llamas Ruiz, who have previously only competed in qualifying.
Context and Prize Money
The first-round prize money at Wimbledon 2026 is £80,000, with half awarded to players who withdraw after the draw. Bellucci's decision to pull out early allows a lucky loser to step in, a common practice in Grand Slam tournaments.
