PARIS — Italian tennis star Lorenzo Musetti has broken his silence after retiring from his French Open semi-final clash against Carlos Alcaraz due to physical exhaustion, describing the moment as "one of the saddest of my career."
The 22-year-old, who had been enjoying a dream run at Roland Garros, was forced to withdraw early in the third set after visibly struggling with fatigue and muscle cramps. Musetti had pushed Alcaraz to the limit in a grueling first set, which lasted 85 minutes, but his body ultimately gave way as the match progressed.
A Heartbreaking Exit
Musetti took to social media shortly after the match to express his disappointment, writing: "It hurts to leave the court this way, especially in a semi-final of a Grand Slam. I gave everything I had, but my body couldn’t keep up. Thank you to everyone who supported me—this journey has been unforgettable."
The Italian had been the surprise package of the tournament, defeating higher-ranked opponents including Novak Djokovic in a thrilling five-setter in the fourth round. His aggressive baseline play and delicate drop shots had won over the Parisian crowd, making his abrupt exit all the more painful for fans.
The Turning Point
Musetti started strongly, breaking Alcaraz early and taking the first set to a tiebreak. However, the physical toll of his previous matches—particularly his marathon battle against Djokovic—began to show. Key moments that led to his retirement included:
- Musetti visibly slowing down in the second set, struggling to recover between points
- A medical timeout at 1-4 in the second set for apparent cramping
- A failed attempt to continue after collapsing to the court in the third set
Alcaraz, who was leading 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 at the time of Musetti’s withdrawal, expressed sympathy for his opponent: "Lorenzo is an incredible player, and it’s never easy to win like this. I hope he recovers soon—he deserves to be here fighting until the end."
Physical and Emotional Toll
Musetti’s coach, Simone Tartarini, later revealed that the young star had been battling fatigue since his Djokovic victory. "He pushed himself beyond his limits, but the body has its own rules," Tartarini said. "We knew the risks, but Lorenzo wanted to fight."
Tennis analysts noted that Musetti’s aggressive playing style, combined with his lack of experience in deep Grand Slam runs, contributed to his physical breakdown. Unlike Alcaraz, who has built endurance through multiple major finals, Musetti had never before advanced past the fourth round of a Slam.
Looking Ahead
Despite the setback, Musetti’s performance at Roland Garros has cemented his status as one of the sport’s rising stars. His ranking is set to rise to a career-high inside the top 20, and he has proven he can compete with the very best on clay.
In his post-match press conference, Musetti remained optimistic: "This is not the end—it’s just the beginning. I’ll learn from this, get stronger, and come back even better. For now, I need to rest and recover."
Fan and Peer Reactions
The tennis world rallied behind Musetti, with fellow players and fans praising his fighting spirit. Djokovic, whom Musetti had defeated days earlier, tweeted: "Proud of you, Lorenzo. Your future is brighter than ever. Rest up and see you on the grass!"
Meanwhile, tournament organizers acknowledged the unfortunate circumstances, stating: "Lorenzo’s journey here was inspirational. We look forward to welcoming him back stronger next year."
Conclusion
While Musetti’s French Open campaign ended in heartbreak, his performances have signaled a breakthrough. With his talent, determination, and newfound experience, the young Italian is poised to become a consistent threat at the highest level of the sport.
As he recovers, Musetti will shift focus to the upcoming grass-court season, where he hopes to build on his clay-court success. For now, though, his message remains clear: "This is just the start of my story."