In the wake of a gripping semifinal clash at the Italian Open, Lorenzo Musetti delivered a passionate defense of his rival Carlos Alcaraz, urging critics to focus on the Spaniard’s extraordinary achievements rather than perceived shortcomings. The 23-year-old Italian, fresh off a hard-fought 6-3, 7-6(4) loss to Alcaraz in Rome, praised the world No. 3 as a “phenomenon” whose results speak louder than any detractors. Musetti’s words, laced with admiration and frustration, highlighted the intense respect between the two young stars, even as they battled under challenging conditions at the Foro Italico.
The match itself was a rollercoaster, marked by swirling winds and a fervent home crowd rallying behind Musetti. Despite the Italian’s valiant effort, Alcaraz’s resilience shone through, securing his place in the final against Jannik Sinner. Musetti, who has been a standout on clay in 2025, admitted to struggling mentally from the outset. “I entered on court with such a great mentality, but after the first point, I start to struggle with keeping that attitude,” he confessed, citing the wind and shadows that disrupted his rhythm. Yet, rather than dwell on his own disappointment, Musetti turned the spotlight on Alcaraz, silencing those who question the Spaniard’s consistency. “Carlos is a phenomenon who has been criticized too much, tontamente [foolishly]. You just have to look at the results,” he declared, emphasizing Alcaraz’s staggering record.
At just 22, Alcaraz boasts a resume that most players can only dream of: four Grand Slam titles, including the 2024 French Open, and six ATP Masters 1000 crowns, with his latest triumph at Monte-Carlo in April. His 77-23 record in his first 100 Masters 1000 matches places him alongside legends like Stefan Edberg, and he’s reached finals at six of the nine events in the series. Musetti, reflecting on their Rome encounter, marveled at Alcaraz’s prowess on clay: “The best Carlos on clay is the best of all. He’s an opponent who has few weaknesses.” This sentiment underscores the challenge of facing Alcaraz, whose explosive forehand—firing 14 winners to Musetti’s three in Rome—and relentless athleticism make him a formidable foe.
Musetti’s defense comes at a time when Alcaraz has faced scrutiny for occasional dips in form, such as his early exit in Miami and a leg injury that forced him to withdraw from Madrid. Critics have pointed to these moments as evidence of vulnerability, but Musetti dismissed such narratives as shortsighted. “The results speak for themselves,” he insisted, noting Alcaraz’s ability to rebound, as seen in his commanding performances in Rome against players like Jack Draper and Karen Khachanov. The Spaniard himself acknowledged the tough conditions in Rome, saying, “It wasn’t about playing brilliant, spectacular tennis. It was about playing smart tennis, playing solid,” a testament to his adaptability.
For Musetti, the loss in Rome capped a remarkable clay season, having reached the semifinals of all three clay-court Masters 1000 events—Monte-Carlo, Madrid, and Rome. His victories over top players like Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev propelled him to a career-high No. 8 ranking and a top-eight seed at the upcoming French Open. Yet, the emotional toll of facing Alcaraz in front of his home fans was evident. “I couldn’t feel the ball really well,” he admitted, frustrated by his 28 unforced errors in the first set alone. A moment of visible anguish saw him smash his racket, earning a point penalty, but Musetti later reflected on the bigger picture: “I have never managed to have 15 matches with such consistency. Today was a bad day, but there are worse days to have one.”
The Alcaraz-Musetti rivalry, now standing at 5-1 in Alcaraz’s favor, has produced memorable battles, including Musetti’s lone victory on clay in the 2022 Hamburg final. Their Monte-Carlo final earlier this year, where Musetti was hampered by a leg injury
Leave a Reply