Following a career-best start to 2026, Italian tennis star Lorenzo Musetti reflects on finding his own way.

PHOTOGRAPHY Raffaele Grosso STYLED BY Fernando Echeverría

Lorenzo Musetti’s game is elegant and varied, distinguished by a one-handed backhand that is relatively rare in contemporary tennis. The 24-year-old from Carrara made a splendid start to 2026, climbing to number five in the ATP rankings in January. The day before our interview in May, he defeated French rising star Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard at the Italian Open in Rome. Just four days later, however, he would lose to Norwegian Casper Ruud—and subsequently announce a left-thigh injury that would keep him out of the French Open.
For Musetti, though, tennis has always been about more than rankings and results. “My passion for tennis was passed down to me by my father, who never played professionally but always played as an amateur,” he explains. “I was four when he gave me a mini racket. I started playing in my grandmother’s basement, and quite naturally, the game turned into a passion. Even today, hitting the ball and the sound it makes when you strike it are the things that make me happy.”

Jacket, top, and shorts BOTTEGA VENETA

L’OFFICIEL: What gives you the drive to win?
LORENZO MUSETTI: Having serenity and tranquility around me is essential for me to play my best throughout the year. The tennis season is very long, so consistency is one of the key words when it comes to results—and in that respect, Jannik [Sinner] and Carlos [Alcaraz] are a step above the rest. I’m quite sensitive, and even if I don’t always show it, sometimes I tend to bottle things up inside, and it’s not easy for me to walk onto the court with a clear mind. I believe deeply in bonds and interpersonal relationships, so I always try to nurture them because they give me the calm I need to step onto the court with the right focus and a sense of ease.
L’O: Do you have any pre-match rituals?
LM: There are a lot of exercises, especially breathing exercises, that help—although those are more about releasing a bit of anxiety. I’m very superstitious. For example, if I start a tournament by using the first shower in the locker room, I’ll keep using that same shower until the tournament is over. If something is working, I tend not to change it.

Jacket and top BOTTEGA VENETA

L’O: What was the best match of your career so far? And the one that hurt the most?
LM: If by best you mean the most important, I’d say it was when I won the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics against Félix Auger-Aliassime. Even though it wasn’t my best match from a tennis standpoint, in terms of importance, probably that one. The match that gave me the most satisfaction? When I beat Novak Djokovic at the Monte Carlo Masters in 2023. He was number one in the world at the time, and a player I had admired since I was a kid. The most painful loss was also against Nole [Djokovic’s nickname], earlier this year at the Australian Open, when I was up two sets to love, and then had to retire because of an injury.
L’O: You’ve played against the who’s who of contemporary tennis—Djokovic, Alcaraz, Zverev, Tsitsipas, Sinner. On a personal level, whose game fascinates you the most?
LM: I think Alcaraz has the most contemporary style, so in terms of aesthetics and the beauty of the game, I’d say Alcaraz. Of course, Jannik is impressive. He’s almost at a level of perfection when it comes to composure, mental clarity, and consistently maintaining an incredible standard. When they’re at their best, they’re the two champions playing the best tennis in the world today.

L’O: What do you do when you’re not playing?
LM: I live in Monte Carlo with my family. Of course, I travel so much throughout the year for tournaments that it’s hard to have a real home base, but I also train in Monte Carlo, so for now, that’s what I consider home. I like spending time with my longtime friends, being with my family and surrounding myself with people I know genuinely care about me, without complicating my life by seeking out friendships or things that aren’t authentic. I’m pretty low-key—I don’t have any crazy hobbies or anything wild that I like to do in my free time. Flavio Cobolli and I grew up together; we’re the same age and we’ve always gotten along really well. In recent years, I’ve also become very close with Lorenzo Sonego and Matteo Berrettini. I’ve always had a great relationship with Fabio Fognini, too. Actually, with everyone on the Davis Cup team—Simone Bolelli, Andrea Vavassori. We make a great group.
L’O: Do you watch other players’ matches?
LM: Not regularly. I keep up with the results, of course, but I’m not a huge fan of watching tennis on TV. I prefer playing it or watching it live.

Jacket and top BOTTEGA VENETA.

L’O: I don’t know if you’ve seen it, but there’s a film that came out a few years ago called Borg/McEnroe starring Sverrir Gudnason and Shia LaBeouf. Two different playing styles, two seemingly very different personalities. Which one do you relate to more?
LM: I’ve seen parts of it, but not the whole thing. I don’t really feel similar to either of them because the film was, I think, fairly... I wouldn’t say dramatized, but certainly heightened. I only know the two of them well from a technical standpoint, and I didn’t live through that era. Even the idea of being a professional tennis player was different back then, so it’s difficult to compare myself to them. But if I had to choose, I’d probably say more McEnroe.
L’O: Have you ever thought about doing something other than tennis?
LM: Not really, because I started playing so young. I always dreamed of becoming a professional tennis player and have always worked toward that goal. Luckily, I followed a path that allowed me to become a professional by the age of 18, so I became independent at a very young age.
L’O: You have two young children. How has it felt to become a father? Do you already picture them becoming tennis players?
LM: Becoming a father before even turning 21 and embarking on such a radical life change isn’t easy, but the joy our children bring to my partner [Veronica Confalonieri] and me makes it a change we’re both very, very happy we made. As for their future, I just want them to have fun and to have the ambition to pursue something. I absolutely don’t want to be the type of former tennis player—or the kind of tennis dad—who pressures his children into playing. But my oldest already has his own little racket, and I can see that he likes it.

Jacket, top, shorts, and shoes BOTTEGA VENETA

L’O: Outside of tennis and your family, what else do you enjoy?
LM: Cooking. I’m a big food lover, and I also like to cook. I was always very well fed growing up, thanks to my grandmother and my mother, who are both fantastic cooks. My specialty is any kind of risotto.
L’O: You’re a global ambassador for Bottega Veneta. Have you met Creative Director Louise Trotter?
LM: Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always liked wearing things that were a bit different from the norm. So, of course, when I got the chance to become a Bottega Veneta ambassador—initially for a campaign celebrating 50 years of the Intrecciato weave—it was really special for me. Bottega is probably my favorite brand, and it’s been fantastic to become part of the family. I’ve seen Louise’s new collection, and she’s given the brand an important new direction [since taking over following Matthieu Blazy’s departure in 2024]. I can’t wait to meet her in person. We almost managed to meet last year, but we couldn’t quite make our schedules work.

Jacket BOTTEGA VENETA

GROOMING: Sara Petrucci PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: Anita Bianchi PHOTO ASSISTANT: Dario Albano THANKS TO: Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel

Lorenzo Musetti's Path Ahead

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