Lorenzo Musetti was beaten by Novak Djokovic in the final of the ATP 250 event in Athens on Sunday, but the Italian was still able to celebrate a spot in the ATP Finals
Lorenzo Musetti was beaten by Novak Djokovic in the final of the ATP 250 event in Athens on Sunday(Image: Anadolu, Anadolu via Getty Images)
Lorenzo Musetti has endured a nerve-wracking week, but the Italian has ultimately secured what he desperately wanted – a place at the ATP Finals. The 23-year-old appeared destined to qualify for the season-ending tournament for the first time, but an early departure at the Paris Masters saw him overtaken by Felix Auger-Aliassime in the Race to Turin.
Musetti travelled to the ATP 250 tournament in Athens knowing his destiny remained in his own hands. Lift the trophy and he’d book his spot at the ATP Finals – anything less and Auger-Aliassime would claim the final berth.
The world No. 9 eventually fell to Novak Djokovic in the final, but Djokovic subsequently pulled out of the year-end Finals, enabling Musetti to claim his place regardless. The Italian faced a rapid turnaround following his narrow 4-6 6-3 7-5 defeat in Saturday’s Athens final, immediately flying to Turin for the ATP Finals, where he takes on Taylor Fritz on Monday afternoon.
After his qualification was confirmed, the 23-year-old posted on social media: “A dream that comes true.” Musetti also uploaded an image of himself alongside his team travelling to Italy.
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The world No. 9 had been attempting to capture his third career title – and his first since 2022 – at the Hellenic Championship. Musetti had previously suffered defeat in two other finals this season and endured another crushing loss in Athens.
However, he was grinning from ear to ear when he embraced Djokovic following the conclusion of their match. Some observers wondered whether Musetti had already been given positive news regarding the ATP Finals – and indeed he had.
“Novak told me on the court that he won’t be going to Turin. I’m not sure how to feel now after a loss in the final, but Novak told me that,” the Italian revealed following the match.
Musetti has now touched down at the Inalpi Arena in Turin, where he stood by Djokovic’s choice to delay his withdrawal announcement until the final moment. “Well, I think Novak, he was completely in the rules of the ATP, of the tournament itself,” he said.
Lorenzo Musetti lost to Novak Djokovic in the final of the Hellenic Championship(Image: Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)
“Of course, I think the strange situation was that he was playing literally the week before the [tournament]. That could be a little bit strange for a player who is already qualified. But that’s the only thing.
“Of course, when he told me at the net after the match that he was not coming, honestly we had a laugh about it. I was curious all week. I was curious if he was coming or not. Of course, I was trying to focus on myself. I think I made a good work at that, even if I didn’t win the final.”
Djokovic’s late withdrawal also meant the ATP had to rush to secure a replacement alternate. If the Serbian icon had stayed in the competition, Musetti would have served as first alternate, with Alexander Bublik as second alternate.
After Musetti took Djokovic’s spot, Bublik moved up to first alternate, forcing tournament officials to hunt for another potential replacement. World No.
10 Casper Ruud, who was next in line behind Bublik in the race, answered the call. The Norwegian star had been enjoying a holiday just days ago, but he jetted off to Turin to serve as the second alternate and was seen watching Carlos Alcaraz’s match against Alex de Minaur on Sunday.
Ruud also turned up sporting a fresh buzzcut. As alternates, both Bublik and Ruud will pocket £118k without even playing a match. Their appearance fees will increase if they are required to step in and play a match.