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Jose Perlas’ coaching record as Lorenzo Musetti adds veteran to his team ahead of 2026

Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
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Lorenzo Musetti enjoyed an impressive season on the ATP Tour in 2025 and is certainly one of the many young stars to keep an eye on heading into 2026.

Musetti achieved a career-high ranking after a fantastic clay swing, during which he reached the final in Monte-Carlo, and semifinals in Madrid, Rome, as well as Roland Garros.

Though he did not manage to win a title this year, the Italian made three tour-level finals, having also suffered near misses in Chengdu and Athens.

Lorenzo Musetti points and looks disgruntled
Photo by Giampiero Sposito/Getty Images

To cap off the season, Musetti qualified for the ATP Finals for the first time in his career and ended his 2025 campaign ranked eighth.

As he looks to build on his game going into the January Australian swing, the 23-year-old has made a new addition to his coaching team, who has a stunning resume.

Who Jose Perlas has previously worked with in professional tennis

Musetti took to Instagram on Monday and uploaded a picture of himself alongside longtime coach Simone Tartarini, fitness trainer Damiano Fiorucci, and his most recent hire, Jose Perlas.

He captioned the photo: “Let’s start preparing for 2026. Welcome Jose.”

Who will be the biggest disappointment at the 2026 Australian Open?

View of the stage at the 2026 Australian Open media launch in 2025
Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Perlas has worked with a number of big stars over the course of his coaching career, most notably Carlos Moya, whom he guided to world number one status.

The Spaniard was in his compatriot’s corner in 1999, when Moya became the first from his country to reach the top spot in the rankings.

Perlas also helped Moya clinch his first and only Grand Slam title, which he managed at the French Open in 1998.

As well as his success with Moya, Perlas helped Albert Costa win a major, and has worked with Guillermo Coria, Nicolas Almagro, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Janko Tipsarevic and recently retired Fabio Fognini.

Jose Perlas looks on at the Monte Carlo Masters in 2014.
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images

What Fabio Fognini has said about Jose Perlas

Perlas was in Fognini’s coaching team when the Italian had his breakthrough season on the ATP Tour in 2013.

Fognini won his first two tour-level titles that year, and reached the semifinals of the Monte-Carlo Masters.

Which tennis player am I thinking of?

When asked what the reason was for his breakthrough season in an interview with ESPN, he said: “I think mentally I improved a lot, which made my game much better overall. Jose, he’s helped me a lot, for sure.

“He’s the best coach of my life, and I really enjoy working with him. I am in a good way, and I would like to stay with him as long as possible.”

Fognini ultimately parted ways with Perlas in November 2016.