ROME — A fresh blow to his 2026 season has struck Lorenzo Musetti, with the Italian confirmed to miss the upcoming French Open due to a thigh injury sustained at the Italian Open in Rome. The world No. 10’s withdrawal was officially announced on Wednesday, marking a significant setback for one of the sport’s most talented young players.
Injury After Roman Setback
Musetti’s hopes for Paris unravelled following a 6–3, 6–1 defeat by Norway’s Casper Ruud in the fourth round of the ATP Masters 1000 event at the Foro Italico. During that match, the 24-year-old began experiencing discomfort in his left thigh — later diagnosed as a rectus femoris strain. Medical examinations revealed that the injury requires several weeks of rest and rehabilitation, forcing him to withdraw from both the Hamburg Open and Roland Garros.
In a statement shared on his social media, Musetti described the decision as “incredibly hard to take,” expressing his disappointment at missing a Grand Slam where he was widely expected to perform strongly. He also took the opportunity to thank the supportive Roman crowd, noting that their encouragement motivated him to compete despite not being fully fit.
A Career Interrupted
Musetti’s absence at Roland Garros is particularly impactful given his semifinal run at the tournament in 2025, which had marked a career highlight and boosted his rise up the ATP rankings. In addition to his clay-court prowess, Musetti has made notable runs at other majors — reaching the Australian Open quarter-finals earlier this season, the Wimbledon semis in 2024, and the US Open quarter-finals in 2025.
His withdrawal adds to a growing list of high-profile casualties ahead of the clay-court Grand Slam, most notably including defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, who will also be absent due to injury. With these exits, the draw at Roland Garros has opened up significantly, elevating the title prospects of other leading contenders.
Musetti’s focus now shifts firmly to recovery. Without the opportunity to defend his semifinal points from Paris, his ATP ranking could take a hit, creating fresh challenges for the Italian in the months ahead. Nevertheless, his past performances and consistent progress at the biggest stages suggest that, once fit, he remains a formidable presence in men’s tennis.
Discussion about this post