Musetti reveals underrated pick as one of his idols: "Federer was my childhood idol, but when it comes to the backhand, I think of Nalbandian"
ATP
Lorenzo Musetti idolized Roger Federer growing up and the influence of the Swiss is visible in the way he plays but he's had more idols besides him.
Lorenzo Musetti grew up watching and idolizing Roger Federer. He's not that different from any other young players that is close to his age as Alcaraz, Rune and others also looked up to the Swiss ace. He's never shied away from talking about his admiration of Federer but he's had other players he liked over the years as well.
Speaking to Tennis Magazin, Musetti dropped a player that not many think about, but one that was amazing in his best days:
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"I play a one-handed backhand, but David Nalbandian had the most striking backhand for me, even if he played with both hands. In my opinion, he played one of the best backs on the tour ever. I had the opportunity to meet him. He is the coach of Miomir Kecmanovic. We are friends and often train together. Sometimes, when I hit a backhand winner along the line, I imagine David. Federer was my childhood idol. But when it comes to the backhand, I think of Nalbandian."
He also revealed that nobody taught him to play a one-handed backhand but it just felt natural to him:
"Nobody taught me. That came naturally. When I picked up my first racket, I played the one-handed backhand. I think I made the right choice. I never wanted to change. Sometimes for fun. But I don't know how to play an ambidextrous backhand. I like to play the one-handed one. I would never change that, it's too late for that anyway."
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