Lorenzo Musetti has officially earned his long-awaited debut at the prestigious ATP Finals in Turin after Novak Djokovic withdrew due to a shoulder injury.
The Italian star battled fiercely against Djokovic in an intense Athens final lasting nearly three hours, narrowly losing 4-6, 6-3, 7-5. Musetti needed a victory to secure direct qualification, but Djokovic’s later withdrawal opened the door for the young Italian’s breakthrough entry.
Djokovic, who had already qualified for the elite eight-player event, announced his decision shortly after the Athens final. “I was looking forward to competing in Turin, but my shoulder injury requires rest,” he shared on Instagram, expressing regret to his fans.
With the World No. 1 stepping out, Musetti now joins an electrifying field featuring Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, Alex de Minaur, and Felix Auger-Aliassime. The tournament marks a historic moment for Italian tennis, with both Sinner and Musetti representing Italy together for the first time in ATP Finals history.
Musetti will compete in the Jimmy Connors Group alongside Alcaraz, Fritz, and De Minaur, replacing Djokovic. The Bjorn Borg Group includes Sinner, Zverev, Shelton, and Auger-Aliassime. Alexander Bublik steps up as the new first alternate, while the second alternate remains unannounced.
This season has been a career-defining year for Musetti. His impressive clay-court performances included his maiden Masters 1000 final in Monte Carlo, semifinal runs in Madrid and Rome, and a memorable French Open semifinal before retiring injured against Alcaraz.
Musetti’s consistency shone throughout the year with finals in Chengdu and Athens, a semifinal in Vienna, and his first-ever US Open quarterfinal. His steady progress lifted him to a career-high ranking of No. 6 in June, and he will finish the season inside the Top 10 for the first time.
The young Italian’s inclusion in Turin is not just a personal triumph—it’s a celebration for Italian tennis fans, who will witness two homegrown talents competing for year-end glory.
As Turin prepares for the season’s grand finale, Musetti’s determination and artistry promise to light up the court, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his remarkable journey.
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