What looked to be the start of a promising year on tour has quickly turned into a nightmare for Lorenzo Musetti, who has now announced that he will not take part in the Queen’s Club Championships next week.
A finalist at the tournament in 2024, Musetti will miss the event because of the same injury that kept him out of the French Open. The Italian now faces a race against time to be fit for Wimbledon as well.
Lorenzo Musetti in 2026: A Promising Start Cut Short
Entering 2026 firmly inside the Top 10, Musetti got his season off to the perfect start by reaching the final in Hong Kong. While the title ultimately eluded him, he backed up that run with a quarterfinal appearance at the Australian Open, where he famously held a two-set lead over Novak Djokovic.
That was when disaster struck for the Italian. Musetti pulled up with an injury to his right leg, forcing him to retire from the match just one set away from reaching the semifinals.
The setback severely disrupted the early months of his season. He was forced to skip multiple events, and when he eventually returned, he did not look like the same player who had started the year so strongly.
Clay-Court Hopes End in More Frustration
It was thought that the switch to his preferred clay courts would help revive his form and provide some much-needed momentum. While his level gradually improved with each passing tournament, he was unable to put together a truly deep run. Then, at the worst possible time, another injury struck.
This time it came in Rome, where Musetti competed despite not being fully fit, motivated by the opportunity to perform in front of his home fans.
The injury, this time affecting his thigh, immediately ruled him out of the French Open. Having reached the semifinals there last year, Musetti not only lost valuable ranking points but also missed a tournament that, in hindsight, may have represented one of his best opportunities yet to make a Major final, given how the draw eventually unfolded.
Wimbledon Now in Doubt
The same issue has now disrupted Musetti’s grass-court season as well. He will miss the warm-up event at Queen’s, and his participation at Wimbledon has yet to be confirmed. A withdrawal from Wimbledon would signal matters going from bad to worse for the Italian, who would then have missed the two Major events where he has enjoyed some of his greatest success in recent years.
While it has become a race against time for Musetti to be fit and match-ready for Wimbledon, the most important priority at his age is making sure he fully recovers from the injuries that have plagued his season.
Throughout his career, Lorenzo Musetti has often demonstrated that despite possessing the talent to challenge the very best players on tour, his body has sometimes been his biggest obstacle. For a player whose game relies heavily on movement, athleticism, and physical endurance, maintaining his health is every bit as important as the artistry and court craft that have made him one of the most exciting talents in the sport. If Musetti can finally put these injury troubles behind him, there is little doubt that his best tennis still lies ahead.
Main Photo Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
