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Lorenzo Musetti declined to respond to a question about his French Open opponent Carlos Alcaraz, calling it “very disrespectful.” The Italian will face the defending champion and four-time Grand Slam winner in the Roland Garros semi-finals on Friday.
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Lorenzo Musetti Deems the Question 'Disrespectful'
The upcoming match marks Lorenzo Musetti’s third clash with Carlos Alcaraz in the 2025 clay-court season, following losses to the Spaniard in Monte Carlo and Rome. Alcaraz holds a 5-1 lead in their overall head-to-head, having won the last five meetings.
Musetti overcame Frances Tiafoe 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 in the last eight, while Alcaraz destroyed Tommy Paul 6-0, 6-1, 6-4.
Following his French Open victory over Tiafoe, Lorenzo Musetti was questioned about his preparation for facing Carlos Alcaraz, even though the 22-year-old Spaniard had not yet played his quarter-final match against Paul. The 23-year-old Musetti showed his frustration with the question, responding, “Already? Already?”
After shaking his head, Musetti continued: “Honestly, I found it really disrespectful for Tommy [Paul], for the ones who they play, to have a question already about the semi-finals.
“There is a match to play and honestly I don’t want to answer this question.”
The world No 7 also addressed avoiding disqualification for accidentally hitting a line judge with a ball he kicked in frustration in the Tiafoe match.
“Honestly, I think it was an unfortunate coincidence,” Musetti told reporters. “I have to admit I was a little scared when I saw it, because I didn’t want to hurt anyone.
“I immediately went to apologise to the line umpire and I extend those apologies to everyone.
“I think it was right that I was given a warning because the chair umpire clearly saw that I had no intention of doing that. I think that’s why he let me continue playing.”
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Alcaraz On Facing Musetti in the Semifinal
Alcaraz shares his thoughts on facing Musetti after progressing to the last four.
“He’s world number seven, or number six, I don’t know for sure,” the world No 2 said in his press conference.
“He’s joined the select group of players who have reached the semi-finals of all the major clay-court tournaments in a single season.
“I think only four have done so far, and that shows the level at which he’s playing and the confidence he has.
“I’ve seen his matches and he’s playing at a very high level, there’s nothing out there about him. We have to show the same level if we want to have a chance, and we’re going to try to enjoy it; it’s going to be a very nice battle.”
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