Musetti on Alcaraz: ‘Legend’ Shines After Monte Carlo Clash

After a compelling final at the Monte Carlo Masters, where Carlos Alcaraz emerged victorious over Lorenzo Musetti, the Italian player shared his thoughts on his opponent. Despite a disappointing end to the match due to physical issues, Musetti had plenty to say about Alcaraz’s performance and overall standing in the world of tennis.

The Monte Carlo Final: A Summary

The final saw Alcaraz defeat Musetti with a score of 3-6, 6-1, 6-0. Musetti started strong, taking the first set, but Alcaraz rebounded, dominating the second and third sets. Musetti faced physical difficulties in the final set, which impacted his ability to compete at his best. Alcaraz acknowledged Musetti’s struggles after the match, expressing sympathy for his opponent’s situation.

Musetti’s Reflections on the Match

Despite his disappointment, Musetti recognized Alcaraz’s deserving victory. “I don’t want to take any excuses today,” Musetti said post-match, “Carlos probably deserved to win.” He lamented not being able to showcase his full game until the very end but acknowledged Alcaraz’s superior performance.

Musetti’s Respect for Alcaraz

Musetti holds Alcaraz in high regard, recognizing his talent and versatility on the court. He acknowledged the difficulties of playing against Alcaraz, stating, “He’s really talented. He has every shot.” Musetti highlighted Alcaraz’s ability to hit backhands down the line, his good volleys, and slices, emphasizing the complete package Alcaraz presents to his opponents.

Alcaraz’s View on Musetti

Alcaraz also offered words of encouragement and praise for Musetti. Alcaraz noted that Musetti has the level to be in the top 10. “He beat top 10 players many, many times,” Alcaraz said. “He faced the best players in the world, and he beat them.” Alcaraz sees Musetti as someone who is learning and has the weapons to achieve great things.

Musetti’s Clay Court Confidence

Musetti expressed his comfort and confidence playing on clay, referring to it as his “natural habitat.” He believes the surface provides him with more options to play his game. The Italian also appreciated the crowd support during the Monte Carlo tournament, adding to his motivation.

The Injury and Future Plans

Musetti alluded to an injury that hampered him during the final, though he remained unsure of its exact nature. He mentioned compensating for it early in the match. Due to this setback, Musetti decided to withdraw from the Barcelona Open to recover and aim to be at 100% for the Madrid Open.

Alcaraz’s Victory and Ranking

With his Monte Carlo Masters victory, Carlos Alcaraz reclaimed the World No. 2 ranking, surpassing Alexander Zverev. He also moved to the top of the 2025 ATP Race, ahead of Jannik Sinner. This win marked Alcaraz’s first Masters 1000 title in 13 months and his sixth overall.

Musetti’s Rise in Rankings

Despite the loss, Musetti’s performance at Monte Carlo will propel him to a career-high No. 11 in the ATP rankings. He defeated top 10 players like Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alex de Minaur en route to the final, showcasing his potential on clay.

Final Thoughts

The Monte Carlo final was a testament to Carlos Alcaraz’s skill and resilience, while Lorenzo Musetti’s performance throughout the tournament highlighted his potential and clay-court prowess. Although Musetti couldn’t deliver his best in the final set, his words about Alcaraz reflect the respect and admiration he holds for the young champion. As both players look ahead to the rest of the clay-court season, their rivalry promises to bring more exciting matches and moments to the world of tennis.