World No.17 Lorenzo Musetti is enjoying a phenomenal 2024–his recent runs demonstrating the kind of tennis that has propelled him into the public eye as one of the sport’s most promising talents. He has won 15 of the last 20 matches, and with the unfortunate withdrawal of compatriot Jannik Sinner from the Olympics, Musetti assumes the role of the top-seeded Italian, making him one of the dark horses for the medal.
Lorenzo Musetti at the 2024 Paris Olympics
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Previous Olympic Run
At the Tokyo 2021 Summer Olympics, a 19-year-old Musetti, fresh off his ATP debut made his first Olympic appearance. He faced John Millman in the first round. The young Italian got off to a good start, getting a 5-3 lead in the first set but the Australian broke his momentum. Before Musetti’s frustrations finally got the better of him in a 96-minute match played in hot and muggy conditions, Millman prevailed in a close service game 3–4. The Australian took the match 6-3 6-4, knocking the Italian out of his first Olympics in the first round.
2024 Form
Musetti has made improvements in form and taken down some impressive players. He was seeded No. 23 in the Miami Open, defeating Ben Shelton in the fourth round, with a solid, consistent game. Shelton made 23 unforced errors which gave the Italian the opportunity to rally from a 4-1 deficit in the second set to take the win 6-4 7-6(5). He faced Carlos Alcaraz in the subsequent round but failed to match the Spaniard’s play, losing 6-3 6-3.
His 2022 Tour-level title in Hamburg was his best-ever performance on clay. This year, after a shaky start to clay season at the Estoril Open, where he lost in the early rounds, there was renewed hope when he arrived in Monte-Carlo. One of the most memorable matches was when he faced 13th seed Taylor Fritz, covering the court with an efficiency that Fritz couldn’t match leading to his 100th career win. He was unable to continue deeper in the tournament failing to defeat Novak Djokovic in the Round of 16.
After a string of early round exits, he arrived at the French Open. He defeated Daniel Elahi Galán and Arthur Fils to face Djokovic in the third round. In the five-set thriller that lasted until 3:06 am local time, Musetti began to exhibit some of the dazzling shot-making, that has made him one of the most compelling young stars, especially on clay. He did not make it easy for the Serb who stormed to take the final two sets and the match, 7-5 6-7(6) 2-6 6-3 6-0. Although the match did not end in his favour, it is clear Musetti is a natural clay courter. His heavy forehand, pushing his opponents to the very corners of the baseline is one of his biggest assets on the red surface.
His loss, however, did not break his momentum as he fared even better on grass. He reached the semifinals of the Stuttgart Open, before being knocked out by compatriot Matteo Berrettini, and the Queen’s Club Championships saw him reach the finals. A charged-up Tommy Paul clinched the trophy in a dominant match. Paul’s agility and redirecting pace kept him strong on grass and was enough to beat the Italian. At Wimbledon, Musetti achieved his deepest run at a Major, reaching the semifinals until Djokovic defeated him once again. In his quarterfinal match against Fritz, the pendulum swung back and forth. Fritz was impatient, trying to end the point early, ending up visibly frustrated. Musetti raised his game, his inside-out forehand coming into play when it came to break Fritz in the decider.
Can he make a deep run?
Since grass season, he’s been back on clay at the Croatian Open. On Friday, he reached the semifinals of the tournament, where he is set to face Jakub Menšík. Back on clay after a brilliant run on grass, the switch in surfaces will help put in more practice and ease him into the Olympic competition. His play has become more aggressive, and he’s improved in defending his baseline, his forehand stronger than ever. His game near the net too has seen development, with great touches and masterful drop shots. The Olympic draw will see him face Gaël Monfils first, who he defeated in this year’s French Open in straight sets. Simply put, he is no doubt, a contender to grab a medal.
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
