Lorenzo Musetti manifested his 'special' week in Monte Carlo with first Masters 1000 final

MONTE CARLO—“Hopefully one of these weeks will be special, even for me. And hopefully I can be one of the names to look up.”

That was the sentiment Lorenzo Musetti expressed to me last weekend during media day at the Monte Carlo Country Club heading into the launch of his European clay-court season.

The Sunshine Double of Indian Wells and Miami, of course, witnessed two maiden ATP Masters 1000 champions emerge in Jack Draper and Jakub Mensik. Thanks to his best performance of the year so far, Musetti has now put himself in position to join that duo at the Rolex Monte Carlo Masters. His final-round opponent Carlos Alcaraz, holder of five 1000-level trophies, is the prohibitive favorite as the reigning Roland Garros champion.

On keeping pace with his peers, Musetti reflected, “I feel a little bit old now with the young guns. They are coming. I see guys like Fonseca, Mensik, Tien, they could be like a little brother on tour.”

The Carrara, Italy native, currently based in Monaco, is still just 23 himself and, on Friday, he delivered his most significant victory of 2025. Not only did he oust Stefanos Tsitsipas, who had taken home three of the past four Monte Carlo crowns, but Musetti overturned a 0-5 mark against the Greek.

Four of those defeats had come on red dirt and initially trended in the same direction when the two dueled inside Court Rainier III. Tsitsipas seized seven of the first nine games and held 0-40 on his opponent’s serve at 1-1 in the second set. Musetti, backed by the crowd all week long, fought through it and later shook off four break points in the fourth game of the decider before prevailing, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, and letting his emotions out.

It marked the third instance Musetti rallied from behind to secure his best Masters 1000 showing, having wiped away a set and 4-2 deficit in his opener with Bu Yunchaokete and being within two points of defeat against Jiri Lehecka in the second round. On Saturday, Musetti pulled it off yet again when he squeaked past eighth seed Alex de Minaur, 1-6, 6-4, 7-6 (4). The No. 13 seed recovered from not serving out the contest at 5-4 in the third by sealing the last three points of the decisive tiebreaker.

“I feel that my needs to mature and be more mature on court, is growing. I will try to go as fast as possible to improve myself and to achieve more,” he said.

I feel a little bit old now with the young guns. They are coming, I see guys like Fonseca, Mensik, Tien, they could be like a little brother on tour.

While we're on the subject of development: just a few weeks earlier, Musetti commemorated a significant milestone off the court with partner Veronica Confalonieri. Twelve months officially flew by as their son, Ludovico, turned one.

“I had the opportunity to spend the birthday with him in Miami. It was really special for me to have the family on my side, even when I was out in America,” shared the proud father.

Only time will naturally tell whether tennis piques Ludovico’s interest. For now, Musetti’s little boy is happy to share his immensely talented dad with the world.

“He likes to watch me on TV. I think he recognize myself, but he doesn’t understand I am far away on TV.”

Editor's Note: Musetti's victory over De Minaur was updated above.