Lorenzo Musetti said it would be a big mistake to write off Novak Djokovic’s prospects of adding to his record 24 grand slam titles.
The 22-year-old Italian Musetti, nonetheless, reckoned compatriot and world No 1 Jannik Sinner had moved “one step ahead of everybody else”, during a supremely successful but controversial 2024.
Musetti enjoyed his own breakthrough campaign last year, when he reached three tour finals and the Wimbledon semi-finals, and claimed Olympic bronze. In both his Wimbledon and Olympic last-four matches, he was beaten by Djokovic, who also overcame Musetti in five sets at the French Open.
In 2024, Djokovic, 37, failed to win a grand slam in a calendar year for the first time since 2017. The Serb has dropped to world No 7 ahead of this month’s Australian Open, where he is a 10-time champion.
“Novak will always be [competing for grand slams], if his physical condition is stable,” Musetti told the Post.
“He is a danger for everybody – for Jannik, for Sasha [world No 2, Alex Zverev] and for [world No 3] Carlos Alcaraz. Last year, Jannik showed he was one step ahead of everyone else, he had such an incredible season.
“But Novak is always dangerous and he knows a little bit about how to play on those grand slam courts and in those conditions.”
At the Hong Kong Open, rising Italian star Lorenzo Musetti shared his thoughts on the competition, specifically addressing the threat posed by World No. 1 Novak Djokovic. Musetti acknowledged that Djokovic is still a force to be reckoned with, but he expressed confidence in his own abilities to compete at the highest level.
However, when asked about his fellow countryman Jannik Sinner, Musetti was quick to praise his rival’s skills. Musetti admitted that Sinner is a step ahead of him in terms of experience and success on the ATP tour. Despite their friendly rivalry, Musetti recognized Sinner as a formidable opponent and one to watch out for in future tournaments.
As the Hong Kong Open continues, fans can look forward to exciting matches between these two talented Italian players and see who will come out on top. Stay tuned for more updates on this thrilling competition.
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