Paris – Lorenzo Musetti exudes confidence on the court.
This newfound assurance stems from an impressive year of growth and achievement.
You can witness this change in his posture and performance. Just the other day on Court Simonne-Mathieu, the 22-year-old Italian showcased his skills with a commanding victory over Colombia’s Daniel Galan, advancing to the third round of the tournament.
Was he showing any signs of pressure? During a rain delay, he was spotted seated calmly, even offering an umbrella to a ball kid.
Un gesto bellissimo, Lollo 👏🧡#Tennis #RolandGarros #Musetti pic.twitter.com/tss6ShV41K
— Eurosport IT (@Eurosport_IT) May 28, 2025
Indeed, he seemed unshaken.
Despite tricky conditions and an opponent renowned for his clay prowess, Musetti ensured it was an easy day.
His breakout performance at last year’s Wimbledon, where he reached the semifinals, marked the start of a transformative journey. Following that, he clinched a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics on his favorite surface.
Every step Musetti has taken has prepared him for this moment. A naturally gifted player, he’s cleverly mastered a diverse skill set, understanding which tactics to deploy against various opponents. It was merely a matter of time before he fully harnessed his potential.
With a remarkably versatile one-handed backhand, he can deliver skillful topspin shots or crafty slices, keeping his adversaries on their toes.
As he gains more experience on tour, Musetti has developed an astute ability to gauge opponents’ reactions, adapting his gameplay accordingly.
It’s evident that Musetti has matured significantly on the tour. Recently breaking into the top 10 before Roland-Garros, he boasts an impressive record of 23 wins out of his last 27 matches on clay. In other words, he’s truly coming into his own.
His remarkable journey saw him reach the finals in Monte-Carlo, followed by semifinals in both Madrid and Rome. He became the third Italian man to ever reach the semifinals at Rome in the last century and is among just nine players in history to achieve the semifinals in all three clay-court Masters 1000 events in a single season.
Musetti attributes his rise to invaluable experience.
“I now approach Grand Slams differently, especially after making it to the semis at Wimbledon,” he expressed in Paris on Wednesday. “I understand what I need, not just physically, but also in terms of my daily routine and lifestyle leading up to a Grand Slam.
“This insight feeds my confidence and strengthens my trust in my current approach.”
Just catching a glimpse of Musetti on the clay reveals why he’s on a success trajectory. His shots never feel repetitive, characterized by a rich variety that allows him to unleash powerful attacks when the moment calls for it. Plus, he’s among the most agile players on clay.
Observe the impressive skid marks left in his wake as he deftly glides into a winning volley. Snap.
Unlike some players who rely solely on raw talent, Musetti’s deeper understanding of strategy has defined his developmental journey. He needed time to grasp how to wield his wide-ranging skills effectively before fully unleashing them.
Now at No. 7 in the world, he’s a formidable contender in Paris. Should Carlos Alcaraz stumble, would you be surprised to see Musetti in the finals? The possibilities are wide open for him in a way they’ve never been before, signaling that this might just be the start of a thrilling chapter in his career.
