‘Passive’ Lorenzo Musetti has been told what he needs to do now after his loss to Jack Draper in Madrid to help him win Grand Slams

Follow us on Google Discover

Lorenzo Musetti has enjoyed a blistering start to his clay-court season, reaching the semi-finals of both Masters 1000 events.

The Italian star produced some of his best tennis in the principality, as Musetti lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the final of the Monte-Carlo Masters, 6-3, 1-6, 0-6.

Carrying that momentum through to Madrid, Musetti took down Tomas Martin Etcheverry, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alex de Minaur, and Gabriel Diallo on his way to the semi-finals.

There, Musetti lost to British star Jack Draper, 3-6, 6-7, as his run at the Madrid Open came to an end.

Ahead of his return to action at the Italian Open next week, Musetti has been told what he must now do if he wants to compete for Grand Slam titles.

Patrick Mouratoglou says ‘passive’ Lorenzo Musetti needs to ‘dictate’ if he wants to compete for Majors

Speaking on Instagram, top WTA coach Patrick Mouratoglou, gave his verdict on the world number 11.

“He is globally too passive,” said Mouratoglou.

“That’s why his matches during Monte-Carlo were up and down all the time, because he was constantly hesitating between I’m going to go, I’m going to take my chance, I have to dictate. Or, I hope the guy is going to miss, I’m going to slice, I’m going to play up, I’m going to defend, and it’s going to work.

“He’s lost a lot of first sets during this Open, badly, and then he was sometimes even a break down. Then he suddenly starts to play, starts to be offensive, starts to dictate, and then the match completely switches.

• 2025 Monte-Carlo Masters SF – Lorenzo Musetti beat Alex de Minaur, 1-6, 6-4, 7-6
• 2025 Monte-Carlo Masters QF – Lorenzo Musetti beat Stefanos Tsitsipas, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4
• 2025 Monte-Carlo Masters 2R – Lorenzo Musetti beat Jiri Lehecka, 1-6, 7-5, 6-2
• 2025 Monte-Carlo Masters 1R – Lorenzo Musetti beat Yunchaokete Bu, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3

“I hope it’s a good lesson for him, this tournament, because he’s such a good player. 

“If he manages his will more, his determination to be the one dictating and being defensive only when he has no other option. His level would go crazy up.”

The Frenchman then shared whether he believes Musetti can compete for Grand Slam titles.

“Is Lorenzo Musetti close or far to playing Grand Slam finals?” asked Mouratoglou.

“It only depends on him. Lorenzo Musetti is a great player. He has everything in his game.

“The movement, such a good mover. The forehand, the backhand, the touch, he can volley, he is a complete player with a huge ball quality.

“The ball is really super lively when he hits the ball, he can accelerate anytime, and he can accelerate with his backhand and with his forehand.

“I think that’s why he likes clay the most.”

How has Lorenzo Musetti performed at Grand Slam tournaments during his tennis career?

Mouratoglou thinks Musetti has everything to compete at the highest level, should he start to dictate points on a more frequent basis.

But how has he performed at the four Major tournaments throughout his ATP career to date?

The Italian has produced his best tennis at Roland Garros over the years, consistently winning matches at the event, reaching the fourth round twice (2021, 2024).

However, in 2024, Musetti made big strides on grass, having previously won just two matches in London.

Musetti’s run to the last four of Wimbledon in 2024 was his career-best result at a Grand Slam, securing several impressive wins at SW19.

• 2024 Wimbledon QF – Lorenzo Musetti beat Taylor Fritz, 3-6, 7-6, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1
• 2024 Wimbledon 4R – Lorenzo Musetti beat Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-2
• 2024 Wimbledon 3R – Lorenzo Musetti beat Francisco Comesana, 6-2, 6-7, 7-6, 6-3
• 2024 Wimbledon 2R – Lorenzo Musetti beat Luciano Darderi, 6-4, 4-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4
• 2024 Wimbledon 1R – Lorenzo Musetti beat Constant Lestienne, 4-6, 7-6, 6-2, 6-2

The Italian’s quarterfinal win was the pick of the bunch, as Musetti took down America’s Taylor Fritz in a five-set thriller on Court 1.

He did, however, fail in his bid to reach a maiden Grand Slam final, losing to seven-time champion Novak Djokovic in the semis.

It remains to be seen whether Musetti will reach a Major final in 2025, but if he keeps playing as he has done on clay so far this year, it wouldn’t come as too much of a surprise to see him make waves in Paris next month.

The 2025 French Open is set to begin on Sunday, May 25.