Lorenzo Musetti is preparing for his return and sends a message to Jannik Sinner

Lorenzo Musetti, after two seasons as a standout player, has been forced to deal with a series of physical problems that have slowed his progress. The world No. 15 himself spoke about this challenging period in an interview with the *Financial Times*. “It was a difficult year, especially in Australia, when I was truly at the peak of my form. The hardest part—more than the pain, the hours of physical therapy and rehabilitation, the visits to various specialists, or the fact that I was sidelined—was simply accepting what was happening.”

Musetti explained the mental approach needed to navigate such a complicated period: “The mind-body connection is everything. Nothing is more important for overall health than being psychologically and mentally strong. You have to be willing to make certain sacrifices. But you also have to be open, receptive, and ready to embrace whatever comes your way. What does it take to make a comeback? Patience and resilience: the courage to try again.”

During the interview, the Carrara-born tennis player also celebrated the extraordinary moment Italian tennis is experiencing, acknowledging the role of the key figures who have contributed to the growth of the entire movement. “Jannik Sinner is our leader: he leads the entire Italian tennis movement. Of course, Fabio Fognini paved the way several years ago. Then Matteo Berrettini threw open the doors to the Grand Slams. They’ve carried the movement forward for all of us—in terms of awareness, investment in tennis and the players, but also in terms of our ambitions and dreams. I’m very happy to be part of the team.”

Finally, Musetti spoke about his playing style, emphasizing the uniqueness of a style that’s increasingly rare in modern tennis, starting with his one-handed backhand. “Playing a one-handed backhand—having that kind of arm movement—is something so rare these days that it could almost be called an endangered species. I grew up watching Roger Federer, my idol. I think he’s the greatest of all time, but undoubtedly from an aesthetic standpoint. Tennis has become a completely different sport compared to the past. The pace is much faster: it’s all about hitting, hitting, hitting. My style? It’s an added value, something that can put my opponent in a tough spot and force him to play defensively.”