In a dramatic and heartrending turn of events at Roland Garros 2025, Lorenzo Musetti, Italy’s rising tennis star, was forced to retire from his semifinal clash against defending champion Carlos Alcaraz on June 6, 2025, at Court Philippe-Chatrier in Paris. The match, poised to be a thrilling battle between two young titans of the sport, ended prematurely with Alcaraz leading 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-0, 2-0 after two hours and 25 minutes of intense play. Musetti’s withdrawal, prompted by a debilitating upper left leg injury, marked a somber conclusion to his deepest run at the French Open, though his reflections on the match revealed both resilience and pride in his remarkable clay-court season.
The 23-year-old Italian, ranked No. 7 in the world, had entered the semifinal with high hopes of reaching his first Grand Slam final. Musetti’s clay-court campaign this year was nothing short of extraordinary, as he became only the fifth player in history to reach the semifinals of all three ATP Masters 1000 clay events—Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome—alongside Roland Garros in a single season, joining the likes of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. His performance against Alcaraz showcased his fearless and versatile game, characterized by a sublime one-handed backhand and tactical brilliance. “I knew even before stepping on court that I had to play probably the best match of my career so far,” Musetti said, acknowledging the daunting challenge of facing the world No. 2, who holds a commanding 6-1 lead in their head-to-head, including victories in Monte Carlo and Rome earlier this year.
The match began with Musetti firing on all cylinders, outmaneuvering Alcaraz to claim the first set 6-4 with precise serving and aggressive net play. The Italian’s ability to counter Alcaraz’s ferocious attacks kept the crowd buzzing, and for a moment, an upset seemed within reach. “I think we both started really, really well, hitting the ball really well,” Musetti reflected. “I felt today I stepped forward on my level.” However, Alcaraz, known for his relentless physicality, fought back in a gripping second set, edging out a 7-6(3) tiebreak victory after Musetti squandered chances to go two sets up. The Spaniard’s tactical shift to push Musetti to his physical limits began to take its toll. “I felt at the beginning of the third when I was serving, I started losing a little bit of strength on the left leg behind, and definitely it was going worse and worse,” Musetti explained.
As the third set unfolded, Musetti’s movement faltered. Trailing 5-0, he called for a physio to treat his upper left thigh, suspected to be a hamstring or quadriceps issue. Despite receiving treatment, the pain intensified, and Alcaraz capitalized, delivering a ruthless 6-0 set in just 22 minutes. “There was too much risk to go forward and to be able to show something even for the crowd,” Musetti said, justifying his decision to retire early in the fourth set. “I decided to stop. I think it was the right decision to make, even if it was not what I wanted.” The Italian’s withdrawal was a pragmatic choice, with Wimbledon looming just weeks away, where he reached the semifinals in 2024.
Despite the disappointment, Musetti remained gracious, praising Alcaraz’s prowess. “I felt today I had my chances to try to go two sets up, but of course Carlos, he’s playing really well. He’s in really great shape. He deserves to go in the final,” he said. Alcaraz, for his part, expressed sympathy, noting, “It’s never great to get through or win a match like this. Lorenzo is a great player. He has had an incredible clay season.” The Spaniard’s sportsmanship underscored the mutual respect between the two, who have competed against each other since their junior days.
Musetti’s exit leaves him with a 19-4 record on clay this season, a testament to his growth as a formidable force. As he prepares for medical evaluations to assess the extent of his injury, the tennis world awaits his return, hopeful that the Italian’s elegant game will soon grace the courts again. For now, Alcaraz advances to face Jannik Sinner in a blockbuster final, while Musetti’s bittersweet departure from Paris serves as a reminder of the physical demands of elite tennis and the fine margins that define greatness.
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