“The crowd can give me confidence”: Lorenzo Musetti on Rome pressure and “less expectations” in 2026

Lorenzo Musetti has said the support of the Rome crowd could play a key role in restoring his confidence as he prepares for the start of the 2026 Rome Open. The Italian spoke in Rome on the eve of the main draw, where he enters as the country’s No. 2 player.

Musetti, a semifinalist at the tournament in 2025, returns under different conditions this year after a more inconsistent start to the clay season. He is currently outside his previous ranking position and faces pressure to defend points accumulated in last year’s deep run in Rome.

The 24-year-old addressed both expectations and the emergence of younger players on the ATP Tour, referencing recent results from Madrid where emerging names have begun to challenge established players at Masters level.

He also reflected on past performances in Rome and the role of the Italian crowd, suggesting that external support could influence both his performance level and emotional state during the tournament.

Musetti was asked about the rise of younger players on tour, including recent breakthroughs from Next Gen players who have begun to register wins at ATP level. He framed the situation as a structural part of professional tennis rather than an exception.

He specifically referenced the competitive dynamic between established players and emerging talent, describing it as a recurring cycle within the sport. While acknowledging the disruption caused by younger opponents, he also pointed to their role in forcing improvements among higher-ranked players.

“Personally, I’m very happy. Young players have always been the ones that allow veterans to improve," he said in press conference according to Ubitennis. "It’s an important incentive for us, trying to stay ahead of them. It’s a cycle.”

Musetti also highlighted the impression left by recent emerging players, noting their consistency and professionalism despite their age. He pointed to their structure and attitude as key factors in their early success on tour.

“Blockx and Jodar impressed me. What surprises me most is that they are serious guys, structured and with good character.”

The Italian suggested that this generational pressure remains a constant feature of the ATP Tour, particularly at Masters 1000 level where young players increasingly reach late stages of events.

Musetti enters the Rome Masters needing to manage ranking pressure after a season that has not replicated the consistency of 2025. He reached the semifinals in Rome last year before losing to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz, who is absent this season due to injury.

At present, he is projected to drop one position in the ATP rankings to No. 11, with points to defend from his 2025 semifinal run. His clay season record stands at 4-3 in 2026, including a Round of 16 appearance in Madrid and a quarterfinal run in Barcelona, but without deep consistency across events.

He also reflected on earlier performances in Rome, including wins against established opponents in past editions, noting that the tournament has previously played a key role in his development on tour.

“Here in Rome, I can’t help but think about my first matches and wins, against Wawrinka and Nishikori, confirmations of their status in the professional world. It’s a shame there wasn’t a crowd, but there was a lot of media attention. Those are good memories of Rome, just like the quarterfinals last year against Zverev — also important mentally.”

The Italian added that conditions in Rome are familiar compared to other clay events on the calendar, noting differences with Madrid’s altitude and the slower pace in Monte Carlo.

“I only played yesterday in Pietrangeli, today I think on Centre Court. We’ll see if it changes depending on the court. It’s slower than Madrid, where altitude makes the ball faster, and Monte Carlo is more similar here because it’s at sea level. I don’t see many differences compared to previous years.”

A recurring theme in Musetti’s comments was the role of the home crowd, particularly in high-pressure situations. He referenced his ATP Finals match against Alex de Minaur in Turin, where crowd support played a decisive role in a difficult physical and mental moment.

He described the atmosphere in Italy as both a performance driver and a potential emotional factor, depending on expectations and match context. He also noted that the current season has brought lower external pressure compared to 2025, which he believes may influence his approach.

“Without them, I probably wouldn’t have won that match against De Minaur in the final. And when you handle their support correctly, it’s easy to get emotional. But because expectations are lower this year than last year, and I didn’t get the same results, I think I’m more relaxed.”

Musetti added that crowd interaction in Rome could serve as a stabilising factor during matches, particularly when seeking rhythm early in the tournament. “And I will also be able to regain confidence thanks to the fans. I would like to feel some affection; the human warmth that Rome radiates can be an important source of support that helps me compete better.”