The 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic is once again in the Wimbledon semi-finals. Now Lorenzo Musetti wants to stop him. What's behind the tournament surprise from Italy?
Not Jannik Sinner, but Lorenzo Musetti is extending Italy's high. Instead of the world number 1, the unknown world number 25 made it through to the last four at Wimbledon. Musetti is only the fourth player from the Belpaese after Nicola Pietrangeli, Matteo Berrettini and Sinner to achieve this.
In the quarter-finals, the 22-year-old crushed the favored American Taylor Fritz (ATP 12), a real grass specialist. After three and a half hours and five sets, the American had to admit defeat.
No Italian has ever won on Church Road. For Musetti, too, the road is still rocky. Because now the 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic awaits. However, the Tuscan - who, like ex-footballer Gigi Buffon, comes from the small town of Carrara, famous for its marble - has won one of six matches against the tennis legend, last year on clay in Monte Carlo, and just over a month ago he challenged him for five sets at the French Open.
Djokovic the biggest possible hurdle
The Serb came through, but later paid for his efforts with a damaged knee. After an operation, he recovered so quickly that he is now reaching for his eighth crown at Wimbledon.
His Wimbledon semi-final on Friday against Lorenzo Musetti should be a doable task for him. While Djokovic is aiming for his 25th title at one of the sport's four most important tournaments, the 15 years younger Italian is in a Grand Slam semi-final for the first time.
"He probably knows the surface and the stadium better than I do," said Musetti with a laugh. "Joking aside, he's a legend everywhere, but especially here at Wimbledon." But Musetti, who became a father for the first time in March, will not give in without a fight. "We know each other well, we've always had great fights. I expect the same this time."
Federer fan has tennis love under his skin
His great role model is Roger Federer. "I had the chance to meet him and play with him in training," says Musetti. "For me, that was something very important and the achievement of a goal and a dream, so to speak." Like the Swiss, he plays the backhand one-handed and his slice is a real weapon on grass.
The 22-year-old feels comfortable on all surfaces and is a typical all-round player. His weaknesses include his second serve and sometimes mental consistency: "Unfortunately, I'm not as focused as I could be in every match. That doesn't make me the best on tour," he recently admitted in a media round table.
But tennis is his life. He has a tattoo on his left arm that shows his heartbeat in conjunction with a tennis racket. His uncle, a cardiologist, recorded his heart rate. Musetti recently explained the meaning behind this: "I love this sport. Even as a child, I had a great passion for tennis. I dreamed of being a tennis player and becoming number 1 in the world."
