Lorenzo Musetti, the Italian tennis player known for his elegant touch, is not receiving enough attention at this year’s Roland Garros 2023. A clay-court specialist, Musetti will face Carlos Alcaraz in the round of 16. On his way to the knockout stages, he defeated Mikael Ymer, Alexander Shevchenko, and most recently, Cameron Norrie. Musetti shared his thoughts during last night’s press conference.
Best Match of the Year?
“Definitely, yes. I don’t know if I can consider it the most beautiful match, but the last two games were probably a great performance on my part. So, it might be a confirmation of the excellent form I’ve been showing on the court. This could be my best performance of the season.”
Comfortable Victory over Norrie
“I felt very comfortable this afternoon, experiencing the balance I need to be well prepared and face these types of players on such stages, which are completely different from regular tournaments. Playing a Grand Slam helps you grow progressively, so I feel more prepared than ever and hope to enjoy my time here in Paris even more.”
Keys to Improvement
“I’ve started playing more matches and focusing on each point. Today, I had an hour and a half of straightforward tennis where I felt great energy. We had a bit of a struggle in the third set, where Cameron showed up, and we had to face each other head-on because the match was going in another direction. I think I was very strong until the end, especially in the last two games, where I broke and finished with the serve. I’m happy with my performance and mentality, so I’m very proud and feel more mature on the court.”
Alcaraz, Next Opponent
“I see a friend and the beginning of a new generation. He is the first one to win a Grand Slam after the Big Three, so I think he is a kind of inspiration for us – for me, for Holger, for Jannik, and for whoever is behind him, trying to get closer to that group. Our match in Hamburg gave me a lot of confidence, especially from this side. This time we will go into the match from a completely different position, a different state, but we will enjoy it.”
Focused on His Tennis
“Every player I face is different, so I have to concentrate on myself, stick to my plan, and if it doesn’t work, try to do something different. I need to have multiple plans and more variety in my game. I try to follow the basic plan that I believe will make many players struggle against me, so I don’t have to think too much about who is behind the net.”
Evolution as a Player
“Two years ago, I made my first Grand Slam appearance in the main draw, and everything was new. When asked if I feel more mature now, especially playing consecutive Grand Slams, I must admit that everything is a bit different. If you ask me if I feel different from two years ago, I say yes. I see myself as more mature, with more experience, more matches, victories, and defeats that have helped me face life as a player differently. I would say I’m more prepared than when I played against Novak, but that doesn’t mean I will go to the court and win easily. That will never happen, but I feel I can handle everything related to the upcoming match better.”
