Lorenzo Musetti is the ATP World #9 and one of Italy’s top-ranked players. Born in Carrara in 2002, the young Italian won an Olympic bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Games and has established himself as one of the most watchable players on tour, built around a one-handed backhand and a willingness to construct points in ways that more conservative players would never attempt.
The one-handed backhand is the first thing you notice. It is struck with topspin and disguise, capable of redirecting pace down the line when opponents expect the cross-court, and it gives him a variety on clay that most players simply cannot replicate with a two-hander. His forehand is heavy and reliable. His serve improved enough through 2023 and 2024 to stop being a liability, and he now holds serve at a rate that allows him to stay competitive on surfaces other than clay. The complete impression is a player who plays tennis with genuine creativity, somebody who has clearly spent time thinking about how to construct a point rather than just executing a formula.
Clay is where he reaches full expression. Roland Garros suits his game: the slower bounce gives his backhand more time to load, the longer rallies reward his point construction, and the crowd in Paris has an instinct for players who do something interesting with a tennis ball. His Paris results have improved as he has matured, and the 2026 edition of Roland Garros is one where he will arrive as a legitimate contender for the second week and beyond. The Olympic bronze medal from Paris 2024, won on clay, confirmed that when it matters most he can produce under pressure.
His game on hard courts and grass has also developed. He is not a one-surface player. There is enough variety in his arsenal, the drop shot, the inside-out forehand, the occasional serve-and-volley point, to make opponents uncomfortable on any surface. The Italian tennis scene is currently one of the richest in the world, and Musetti holds his own within that generation.
Musetti will compete at the 2026 Grand Slams: the Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open. Check Italy time for match schedules in his home timezone.