Carlos Alcaraz expressed heartfelt wishes for Lorenzo Musetti’s swift recovery after advancing to the French Open final following Musetti’s retirement during their semifinal match. Alcaraz was leading 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-0, 2-0 when Musetti, struggling with an injury, stopped play on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
“It’s not great to win a match like this. Lorenzo is a great player,” Alcaraz stated. He added that he hopes to see Musetti back on the court soon.
Musetti had been receiving treatment on his left thigh, which had begun to hinder his performance notably during the third set. After losing momentum, he explained, “I felt at the beginning of the third when I was serving, I started losing a little bit of strength in the left leg… I think it was the right decision to make, even if it was not what I wanted. Tomorrow I will do exams.”
In the meantime, Alcaraz, who is seeded second, is set to face top-seeded Jannik Sinner in the final. Sinner advanced by defeating 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in a hard-fought match, showcasing his own form as he aims to win his first major title.
Alcaraz hopes to secure his second French Open title and fifth Grand Slam overall. With a remarkable 21-1 record on clay this year, he looks forward to the final, citing his intense preparation and confidence. “I’m feeling great. I have a lot of confidence right now,” he said, ready to give it his all.
Musetti’s journey serves as a reminder of the challenges athletes face in high-stakes competitions. Although he fell short of reaching the final, his talent, particularly his impressive one-handed backhand, has earned him admiration and hope for future success. Sinner, on the other hand, still has the opportunity to become the second Italian man to win the French Open, following the legendary Adriano Panatta who triumphed in 1976.
The anticipation for the Alcaraz-Sinner showdown adds an exciting chapter to this year’s tournament, with both players demonstrating exceptional skill and resilience throughout the competition.