Musetti’s Athens push for Turin glory
Lorenzo Musetti enters the Vanda Pharmaceuticals Hellenic Championship with a clear path to the Nitto ATP Finals, but the ninth-ranked chaser must master his mind and the hard courts to overtake Felix Auger-Aliassime and claim his breakthrough.
In the warm glow of Athens' outdoor arenas, Lorenzo Musetti steps up with his career’s biggest prize tantalizingly close. The Italian, seeded second in this ATP 250 event, carries the momentum of a breakthrough 2025 season into a week where every point echoes toward Turin. Victory here would secure his debut at the Nitto ATP Finals, a dream that sharpens his focus amid the Mediterranean breeze and the hum of an expectant crowd.
Reflecting on a breakthrough campaign
Musetti’s path to ninth in the PIF ATP Live Race to Turin has been paved with deep runs and personal highs, marking this as his most rewarding year yet. He savors those accomplishments, using them as fuel for the final sprint rather than letting the pressure overshadow his game. On these hard courts, where the ball skims low and fast, his one-handed backhand slices and inside-out forehands find a natural rhythm, setting up crosscourt exchanges that build to decisive down-the-line winners.
The emotional weight of the qualification adds layers to his preparation, blending ambition with the discipline to stay present. He views the season’s gains as a solid base, now tested in this high-stakes setting where tactical precision meets psychological grit.
“It’s been a tremendous season so far. If I look back to all the achievements and goals that we achieved this year, it’s so far my biggest season in my career,” Musetti told ATPTour.com. “And of course there is still one goal that I am talking about. We’re going to see after this week what’s going to happen, but I’m here also for that and to try to take the spot.”
Navigating calculations and court focus
The equation is stark: a title at the Vanda Pharmaceuticals Hellenic Championship vaults him past eighth-placed Felix Auger-Aliassime, locking in his Turin berth with 500 crucial points. Musetti grapples with that reality, striving to avoid overanalyzing the standings while keeping his eyes on the trophy. He treats the draw like any other, emphasizing one–two punch serves followed by aggressive net approaches to disrupt opponents’ baselines on this pacey surface.
This balance proves tricky, as the field’s depth—filled with hard-court specialists—forces him to mix underspin lobs with flat forehand drives, conserving energy for potential marathons. By framing the week as a standard title chase, he preserves his competitive flow, even as the Finals' allure tugs at the edges of his concentration. The arena’s generous size, unusual for a 250, promises a vibrant atmosphere that could amplify his inside-in redirects and crowd-fueled intensity.
“It’s something that is not easy. I’m trying not to think too much of the calculations, but I know I have to win the tournament to be guaranteed in Turin,” Musetti said. “The goal is always to win the tournament, so the goal doesn’t change much.”
“Of course it’s going to be a tough week, because there are plenty of players who are really strong on this surface. I’ll try to play one match at a time and think about it like every other tournament,” he added, his voice steady with resolve.
Rebounding into opener excitement
Musetti’s week launches against either the seasoned Stan Wawrinka or the resilient Botic van de Zandschulp, matchups that demand sharp returns against heavy groundstrokes and varied paces. Fresh from a first-round exit at the Paris Masters to compatriot Lorenzo Sonego, where fatigue blunted his edges, he has seized a few recovery days to reset. Now, with batteries recharged, he eyes the hard courts’ crisp bounce as a canvas for his versatile patterns, from crosscourt rallies to surprise down-the-line backhands.
The mental and physical toll intensifies this late in the year, but Athens’ historic charm and packed stands offer a boost—his first pro visit to the city, building on junior memories from Greece. He tested the venue earlier, impressed by its scale and potential for electric energy, which could propel his drop shots and force errors in extended points. As the last week where points feed the Race—before next year’s shift makes Paris the cutoff—Musetti embraces the urgency, ready to weave history into his game.
“It’s also now a mental game and a physical game. In Paris, it didn’t go really well,” Musetti reflected. “I had a few days to rest, to recharge a little bit the batteries and hopefully here will go better.”
“I played this morning in the arena and tried it. It’s really cool, really big for a 250. I think it’s really, really nice and hopefully it’s going to be really crowded,” he shared, enthusiasm lighting his words. “It’s a nice city with a lot of historical places, which I would like to visit if I have the chance. It’s a nice opportunity also for us to have a last week [with points counting towards the Race]. It’s going to be the last year [this week] will count for the Race, because from next year the Paris Masters will be the cutoff for the Race. Let’s make it count this week.”
With the draw tightening and the sun dipping over ancient horizons, Musetti’s blend of tactical finesse and inner steel positions him to turn this Greek chapter into a launchpad for Turin’s spotlight, one measured step at a time.
