Italian tennis star Lorenzo Musetti was the last to join the ATP Finals but almost became the first to exit. Backed by the passionate Turin crowd, Musetti produced a stunning comeback to defeat Alex de Minaur 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 on Tuesday. After the match, he celebrated with his team and wrote “fino alla fine” — Italian for “until the end” — on the television camera, echoing the motto of his favorite football club, Juventus.
Musetti only secured his place in the tournament after Novak Djokovic withdrew, making his debut at the ATP Finals. He had just lost 6-3, 6-4 to last year’s finalist Taylor Fritz the day before and faced elimination if defeated by de Minaur. Despite these challenges, Musetti took the first set convincingly, though de Minaur rallied in the second to force a deciding set.
Exhausted from a grueling three-set loss to Djokovic in Athens the previous weekend — his third three-set match in a row — Musetti appeared physically drained. Early in the final set, de Minaur surged to a 2-0 lead, putting the Italian in a precarious position.
“I was really struggling physically because Alex raised the level and intensity,” Musetti admitted. “I had to find a solution and push myself to the limit.”
The Italian fans played a crucial role, cheering for every point won and even for points lost. In one memorable rally, Musetti attempted a trick shot through his legs, but de Minaur managed to win the point. The dramatic moment only intensified the crowd’s excitement.
Musetti then mounted an extraordinary run, winning the next four games to seal the match. He celebrated passionately, beating his chest and rallying the crowd with his energy. “I’m a warrior,” he said. “I have improved mentally, and the support of the crowd gives me so much.”
Looking ahead, Musetti faces a daunting challenge against world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz on Thursday, knowing that a win is crucial for his survival in the tournament. After his inspiring performance, one thing is certain: nobody at the Inalpi Arena will leave early, as Musetti has truly embodied his mantra of playing until the very end.
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