By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday July 10, 2024
Lorenzo Musetti became the fourth Italian man to reach a Wimbledon semifinalo on Wednesday, edging past American Taylor Fritz in a tense, back-and-forth tussle, 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-2, 3-6, 6-1.
At 22, the World No.25 has a world of big match experience, even if most of it has come on the clay. He hopes that high-stakes battle with the likes of Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and others have prepared him for his next big challenge: a semifinal with seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic on Centre Court on Friday.
“I've had many, many tough losses,” the 22-year-old said on Wednesday after his breakthrough win. “I think I made, of course, a step forward in the maturity and experience. Probably that losses with all big champions made me think, made me work harder.”
For those who didn’t expect Musetti to still be in this draw at this stage of Wimbledon, join the club. The Italian entered the grass season with a 6-7 overall record on the surface, but something has clicked for him in 2024. After his win over Fritz he is now 12-2 on grass for the season.
How has he done it?
He says variety has helped him take control of his one-dimensional opponents that would prefer to play one style.
“It's certainly something that I'm really working on,” he says. “Since I was a kid, I always didn't like to do the same stuff on the court, not to be, let's say, mono-automatic on the court. Probably it's a good help on grass, and I'm using it this week.”
Another improvement that Musetti has made is his attitude. He has talked repeatedly of the improvements he has made in that department.
“I think in the past weeks, starting from Stuttgart, I started to feel more continuous on that, on the attitude. Even today [against Fritz] I have to thank myself for the attitude that I had, especially losing the first set in not, say, a positive way where I didn't feel my serve really well. I didn't feel the ball. I was a little bit nervous. Then immediately with a positive attitude I changed all my mindset, and also the feeling with the ball was better. So that's probably what I have to do in the next round also.”
Though he’ll be the heavy underdog against Djokovic yet again, Musetti says that the losses he has had against the 24-time major champion are only making him stronger. He has won just one of their six matches, but has notably taken the Serbian legend to five sets twice at Roland-Garros, including this year in the third round.
All that practice has made him a better player, he says.
“I have to say with Nole, after the match I always finished with a lesson,” Musetti said. “Of course, the last match was really an intense match from both players and a really stressful match. Against him you are probably more stressed because he's probably the best player ever, or one of the best players ever.
“You walk on court with a different mentality. As I said before, I think if I play in a certain way, I could have my shot in the next round.”
Photo credit: Rob Newell/CameraSport