Lorenzo Musetti arrived in Paris with no expectations and will depart with a bronze medal from the 2024 Olympic Games, a remarkable accomplishment for the Italian athlete. Musetti has been a consistent performer for quite some time, but it was only recently that he reached an exceptionally high level. While he had shown glimpses of his potential in the past, this year marked a turning point in his career.
At Wimbledon, Musetti unexpectedly displayed outstanding tennis skills on grass and advanced to the semifinals of the prestigious tournament. This surprising run continued on clay as well. Following his appearance in the final of the Croatia Open in Umag, which took place less than 24 hours before his first Olympic match, Musetti arrived in Paris and continued to perform admirably.
Despite feeling tired and fatigued, the 22-year-old persevered and reached the semifinals, where he faced Novak Djokovic in a highly competitive match. Although Musetti put up a strong fight and even held a lead in the second set, he was unable to defeat Djokovic, resulting in an opportunity to compete for the bronze medal instead of the gold.
While it may not have been his desired outcome, Musetti found himself in a position to achieve an unexpected honor. With Jannik Sinner’s withdrawal from the Games, Musetti became the main hope for Italy in Paris, and he delivered by securing a medal. His victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime, who had an impressive tournament himself, was a noteworthy three-set encounter.
In the opening set, Musetti capitalized on Auger-Aliassime’s shaky performance, taking advantage of numerous unforced errors. However, the Canadian player turned the tables in the second set, showcasing improved gameplay while Musetti struggled to maintain control. Auger-Aliassime’s five aces and 11 winners compared to Musetti’s 11 unforced errors resulted in a 6-1 set victory for the Canadian.
The final set showcased a competitive battle between the two players, with Musetti slightly edging out his opponent. Musetti’s ability to prevent any break points throughout the set, combined with more consistent serving, ultimately made him the superior player. As a result, he emerged victorious with a 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 scoreline, securing the medal and bringing it back to Italy.
Photo by Lorenzo Musetti Instagram
