Lorenzo Musetti is one of the most exciting prospects in tennis right now.
Entrenched in the top 20, Musetti is part of the next generation of Italian tennis talent taking the world by storm.
Here are five reasons we love the 22-year-old, and why we’re excited to see what he can do at Australian Open 2025.
1. His exciting style of play
Whenever Musetti steps on court, expect to see some electrifying tennis.
The fact he covers the court with such pace means you can never count him out of a point.
An extensive shot collection makes him an offensive threat – his ripping forehand and one-handed backhand can floor opponents, while his change-up and variety leaves them guessing.
“He's an awkward player to play against because he has that slice, defence slice. His drop shots. He can serve and volley. He's so crafty with his tennis. He has all-around game. He can play any shot,” Novak Djokovic said after beating Musetti in the 2024 Wimbledon semifinals.
“He's so talented. You don't know what to expect in a way. Each shot could be different,”.
2. He’s got plenty of off-court passions
Musetti is just as fascinating off the court as he is on it.
He loves to get in the kitchen, channelling his Italian heritage by cooking pasta – something he frequently does on tour.
“Considering the average level of cooking on the Tour, I would say that I am pretty good. But for an Italian, I'm not that great,” the world No.17 told ATPtour.com.
“I can cook, I like to cook, and I would love to improve my cooking, but my girlfriend, my family, my grandmother and my mum, they cook very well.”
Avidly posting his culinary exploits on social media, Musetti – who generally cooks with his girlfriend – believes his signature dish is carbonara.
The Italian also loves his music. Influenced by his father’s tastes, Musetti developed a passion for classical rock music.
“I like so much listening to music and having chats with my friends about new songs, about new playlists and stuff like that,” he said.
3. The meaning of his tattoo
Musetti has tennis literally inked on his body.
Positioned on the back of his left arm is a tattoo of an ECG line – a sample of his heartbeat frequency taken by his cardiologist uncle – going through a tennis racquet.
It symbolises how tennis means everything to him, and the commitment he possesses to become one of the elite players on tour.
“I have three tattoos on my body. Probably the most known is the one with my heartbeat, heart rate, and tennis racquet in the middle,” Musetti explained.
“Then I have this for my family because they're always supporting me, like an anchor does. Then I have one phrase with my coach. It says in Italian: Il meglio deve ancora venire. The best is yet to come.”
RELATED: Is the best yet to come for Musetti at Wimbledon?
4. He’s a proven winner
That desire to be among the best is being displayed on court.
He first burst onto the scene when he won the first two sets against Djokovic in the fourth round of Roland Garros 2021. Although he ultimately retired from that match, Musetti avenged that loss at the Monte Carlo Masters last year, recovering from a set down against the Serb to reach his second career Masters 1000 quarterfinal.
He also defeated top seed Carlos Alcaraz in the 2022 Hamburg final to win his maiden ATP title.
At just 22 years of age, Musetti has already won eight matches against top-10 opponents, and became the second-youngest Italian to crack into ATP top 20 after Italy’s appearance in the United Cup 2023 final.
The youngest is current world No.1 Jannik Sinner.
5. He represents fatherhood goals
In March 2024, Musetti and girlfriend Veronica Confalonieri welcomed son Ludovico into the world.
This helped the 2024 Queen’s Club finalist gain a new perspective in life; he believes the patience acquired as a father assists him on court, and his ambitions to become the best father he can be are replicated in the effort he applies on court.
“I deal differently with things on and off the court. Being a father can help a lot also on a tennis court. I felt that on my skin. The patience you need as a father you can compare it with the patience you need on the tennis court,” Musetti said.