“Hopefully they can help me work a miracle”: Lorenzo Musetti leans on Turin crowd ahead of Alcaraz clash

Lorenzo Musetti produced one of the most emotional nights yet at the 2025 ATP Finals, defeating Alex de Minaur in a thrilling three-set battle that reignited his campaign in Turin. The Italian fought from behind to claim a 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 win, delivering a statement performance in front of his home crowd. After his earlier loss to Taylor Fritz, Musetti now remains alive in the race for the semifinals — though his toughest test awaits.

The 23-year-old’s win was more than just a survival act; it reflected his evolving maturity on the court. Calm in pressure moments and visibly inspired by the atmosphere, Musetti acknowledged how much this tournament means to him. “It gives me a lot of confidence in the work I’m doing, and without a doubt, it’s good news to still be competing for a place in the semifinals,” he said after the match to UbiTennis.

With one group match remaining, Musetti’s future in Turin now depends on beating Carlos Alcaraz — the group leader with two wins and no losses. Fully aware of the challenge ahead, Musetti spoke openly about the magnitude of the task. “A lot will depend on my performance against Carlos. It’s the toughest match in the group; I know him very well because we’ve faced each other several times this year on all surfaces.”

Yet Musetti’s tone was far from defeated. The home crowd in Turin has been electric for every Italian player, and Musetti plans to use that as his biggest weapon. “I’m sure I have one advantage: the crowd,” he smiled. “Hopefully they can help me work a miracle.”

Musetti’s faith in himself stems from a year that redefined his consistency and focus. The Italian’s clay season was arguably the best of his career — a stretch that included a final in Monte Carlo and semifinal runs in Madrid, Rome, and Roland Garros. Each deep run added confidence and ranking points, propelling him into the world’s top 10 and ultimately securing his place at the ATP Finals in Turin.

“The clay swing was undoubtedly a magical part of the season,” Musetti said. “I was surprised by how consistent I was with my results. That’s what led me here to the Finals, because there was a very important jump in quality. Even reaching the top 10 helped me make a mental leap. Today’s match is the result of a demanding season, but one spent facing very strong players.”

Despite reaching two more finals later in the season — in Chengdu and Athens — Musetti remains without a title in 2025. Still, his campaign represents much more than trophies. For him, it’s been about maturity, learning from defeats, and refining his tennis identity. “The good matches I played and lost helped me a lot,” he added, highlighting how progress sometimes comes from pain rather than celebration.

Before facing Alcaraz, Musetti made headlines for previous comments suggesting the Spaniard was less comfortable on indoor courts. He was quick to clarify his stance, showing both respect and awareness ahead of their decisive meeting. “If I said that, I take it back,” Musetti admitted. “In the sense that it’s definitely a surface where he doesn’t feel as comfortable as on clay. That it’s easier to beat him—that’s not what I meant.”

That correction underscored Musetti’s understanding of Alcaraz’s all-court versatility. The Spaniard leads their head-to-head 6–1, having won their last six meetings. Musetti’s lone triumph came in the 2022 Hamburg final — the first of his two career titles. Now, as they prepare to meet again, he knows the challenge is enormous but remains undeterred, trusting that home support could make the difference this time.