Slow & Steady Wins The Race For Musetti

Slowing down is helping speed up Lorenzo Musetti’s ATP Tour ascent.

After winning his second-round match at the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers Wednesday against Thanasi Kokkinakis, the Italian has now claimed multiple victories in eight consecutive tournaments. The work the 21-year-old has done to earn that consistency stretches beyond forehands and backhands.

“We are focussing on breathing, on trying to take more time, [to not] hurry up in the difficult situations, trying to think and trying to have a plan before starting to serve,” Musetti told ATPTour.com. “Or having a routine to stay relaxed in your heartbeat and your body. I’m working with a psychologist, and also my team, they are involved in it. I think the mix of the things, they’re working pretty good.”

Musetti faced a stiff test against Kokkinakis, a qualifier with the game to take on anyone who stands across the net. The Italian faced eight break points in the match across a gruelling two hours and 52 minutes, but was able to persevere, saving six of those break chances.

“I’m doing [the work] constantly every day. It keeps improving my game, my mentality. And today was probably the result of this work, and this work ethic that I try to improve and try to learn every day,” Musetti said. “I’m focussing really [on] each practice to try to get better and stay in the right focus. And today, it helped me to win the match because Thanasi was playing really good.”

Musetti has worked with a psychologist since age 18 and it has become an important part of his development.

“When I started to play [professionally], then I felt the need to,” Musetti said. “But even not on the tennis side, especially even for the private life and for Lorenzo outside the court. That’s probably the most important thing.”

Speaking of Musetti’s private life, he recently came to an important decision with his girlfriend: It was time for a haircut. His previously long, flowing locks have received a significant chop. Part of the reason was that the length became a bit of a nuisance in hot, humid conditions.

“Honestly, I don’t know exactly [how long it had been]. But I think mostly two years, one and a half,” Musetti said of the time since his last haircut.. “I remember US Open 2021, I had probably the longest hair that I’ve had. Then I cut it a little bit, but it was still long.”

Musetti will try to continue his run when he faces 2021 Toronto champion Daniil Medvedev. It will be their first Lexus ATP Head2Head clash and an opportunity for the Italian to make his third ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final. There is one thing in particular the two-time Next Gen ATP Finals competitor likes about the World No. 3’s game.

“Probably his defensive skill and let’s say the transition that he has from a defensive position to an offensive position,” Musetti said.

The 16th seed knows he will need to be at his best to challenge the six-time Masters 1000 champion.

“It’s going to be for sure a tough match,” Musetti said. “But hopefully, I can take the centre court and enjoy the match.

“We’ve practised a few times back in the day, sometimes in [the] Mouratoglou [Academy]. We were practising there and sometimes in Monte-Carlo. He’s a nice guy and he’s really talented. For sure, he knows how to play here. I think it will be a nice test for me.”