Lorenzo Musetti discusses the impact of Jannik Sinner's success on his own career. Both players aim to perform well at the Italian Open, starting in the second round.
Photo by Mateo Villalba/Getty Images
Lorenzo Musetti and Jannik Sinner will both be hoping to make a strong impression in front of the home fans at this year’s Italian Open.
Each of them will begin their campaigns in the second round of the ATP Masters 1000 event, which is already underway in Rome.
And they will be looking to avoid an early exit like Matteo Berrettini, who was beaten by Alexei Popyrin.
But as top-10 players on the ATP Tour, Sinner and Musetti should be quietly confident of lengthy runs in Rome, particularly the former.
Musetti feels his own career is being overshadowed by that success. Speaking to reporters before his opening match against Michael Mmoh, he admitted that there have been times when it’s affected his confidence.
Photo By Oscar J. Barroso/Europa Press via Getty Images
Musetti has spoken in the past about what it’s like playing in the shadow of another Italian, and he was recently asked to explain those comments further by Eurosport Italy.
“Jannik has definitely opened a new path, if we want to call it that, especially in Italian tennis,” explained Musetti.
“What he’s doing and what he’s already done is something no one in Italy has ever done. Just look at the tournaments and rankings, given that he’s the world number one.
“Let’s just say that the standards of judgment of the public, fans, and insiders have risen significantly. And obviously, that’s something I feel.
“Despite being number five in the world, having reached the quarterfinals of every Slam and reached two Slam semifinals, the first thing I hear is that ‘Lorenzo Musetti hasn’t won a title in four years’.
Lorenzo Musetti has opened up about how Jannik Sinner's achievements have affected his own career and motivation.
Both Lorenzo Musetti and Jannik Sinner are looking to make a strong impression at the Italian Open, starting their campaigns in the second round.
Matteo Berrettini was defeated by Alexei Popyrin at the Italian Open.
Lorenzo Musetti and Jannik Sinner will begin their matches in the second round of the Italian Open, which is currently underway.
Detroit Pistons fans showcased their unique playoff fashion at Little Caesars Arena, opting for custom jerseys and accessories instead of free T-shirts. Fans expressed pride in their stylish outfits, emphasizing individuality and team spirit ahead of Game 2 against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Carolina Panthers ink six draft picks before rookie minicamp
Analyst shares optimistic view on Chiefs' offense for 2026 season
The Bears had a chaotic 2025 season with high turnovers but faced injury struggles and penalty luck issues.
Ric Flair backs LeBron James while calling out Luka Doncic's absence!
Houston's 'Man vs Fat Soccer' league lets players score by losing weight!
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
“That’s definitely something that’s swirling around in my head a bit. Then again, there have been so many finals over the years, so it’s not that easy to be second. But we’re moving forward.”
Sinner hasn’t just been Italy’s top player lately – he’s been the standout in men’s tennis overall, fresh off winning his fifth straight ATP Masters 1000 title.
Even so, Musetti has put together a solid career himself. He has two titles, seven runner-up finishes, a peak ranking of No. 5, and several deep runs at Grand Slams.
Meanwhile, the majors are facing increasing pressure from players over revenue distribution. It’s an issue that’s starting to get more attention from those at the top of the game.
“I supported the letter from the top ten,” he confirmed. “It’s a topic we’ve been discussing together for some time: the leaders of the two rankings are trying to put some pressure on us to move towards fairness.
“I believe the more united the group is, the more we’ll make our voices heard and perhaps more results will come.
“It takes patience; we know it’s a long process. We have time on our side, given that we’re a fairly young group with fairly clear ideas.”
The French Open is next up on this year’s calendar. Musetti should feel optimistic about his chances there after reaching last year’s semifinals before falling short against Carlos Alcaraz in Paris. Alcaraz went on to defeat Sinner in that final and lift another major trophy.
Read more: