Lorenzo Musetti wants to “keep going and keep growing” in Cincy after whirlwind summer 

CINCINNATI—Lorenzo Musetti is eager to just get back to the weekly grind in Cincinnati, after capping off a whirlwind summer with a history-making run at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

The Italian became the first tennis player from his country to win an Olympic medal in 100 years, after defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime to claim bronze in men’s singles. Joining countrywomen Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini in the winners circle after they took home gold medals in womens’ doubles, Musetti was a key part of Italy’s most successful showing ever in Olympic tennis.

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But back at the Cincinnati Open, his first tournament in action after some well-earned time off, Musetti says he’s ready to build on that “dream come true” result—instead of letting it define him.

“A medal is something that I, of course, won’t forget,” Musetti told press after his first-round win in Cincinnati. “But I don’t want to think about it for the rest of my career. I have to try to focus on each week, and each week is different.”

Musetti, the No. 14 seed, had his hands full against Nicolas Jarry in the opening round on Tuesday, rallying for a 4-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4) victory in his first hard-court match since March.

Musetti has enjoyed success on multiple surfaces since then: He reached his first grass-court final at the Queen’s Club in London and surged to his first Grand Slam semifinal at Wimbledon, before picking up a finalist trophy in Umag and an Olympic bronze medal on clay.

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“Of course, the results that I (achieved) in the last couple of months are helping me to enter the court with more belief in myself, and more trust in what I do. But I don’t want to think about the bronze medal every day!” Musetti explained. “It’s too much for me, and I don’t want to always live with that.”

“I think I’ve been (handling) this situation well, and of course, I’m really proud of what I’ve done for my country and for all my fans,” he added. “But I want to keep going and keep growing.”

Musetti will face home favorite Frances Tiafoe in the second round, after the American defeated Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-3, 7-6 (6) on Sunday.