“Sinner is like Ronaldo, Alcaraz is like Zidane, and Djokovic is Baggio”

Lorenzo Musetti had a season in which he reached his best place in the world ranking, six, and in which, even if he did not win a trophy, he made his presence felt throughout 2025, which he concluded by participating in the ATP Finals.

He skipped the Davis Cup, and on the “Small Talk” podcast he talked about tennis and soccer, two of his great passions. Born in Carrara, Musetti plays for Juventus Torino, a team he came to love thanks to his father and grandfather, but also to Gianluigi Buffon, one of the symbols of this club.

The Italian was asked to compare his circuit colleagues to football players. “Sinner is like Cristiano Ronaldo, because he is very methodical and a perfectionist. Rafa's courage and personality are incredible; I associate them with those of a captain like Gigi Buffon. They made history in their sports. Federer as Del Piero, two symbols, two poets of sport.

Carlos Alcaraz is a midfield artist, like Zidane: he invents, creates, designs football. I see a lot of similarities in that, a player who always plays with his head up, like Carlos, who, when he makes a decision, doesn't have too many problems. Djokovic, for fame and legend, like Roberto Baggio, especially in terms of numbers; what Nole has accomplished is impressive,” Musetti said.

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner/Photo: Getty Images

He continued: “Zverev like Dybala: he never managed to express his full talent, but he remains very strong. Berrettini is very similar to Trezeguet, he reminds me of him physically. Very smart and team oriented. Andre Agassi marked a generation, as did Pipita Higuain. He took the role of number nine to the max. I am like Pirlo, the maestro, the one who conducts the orchestra. I would love to be in that role and also as a person I would love to be with someone like him.”

Lorenzo Musetti talked about fighting anxiety

Returning to tennis, he identified his biggest achievement this season. “One of the biggest improvements we made in terms of quality was mentally and in our attitude on the pitch. It's a little more difficult than others because, character-wise, I get fired up easily; being very sensitive even off the field, it's hard for me to assimilate certain things. I remember very well that during my growing up I also faced panic attacks, moments of tension where I felt like I had a knife between my stomach and sternum and I would go back to the bench saying that I can't play and breathe”he said.

He then continued: “Fortunately, over the years I've learned to manage pre-match situations, which are essential to enter the field in a certain state of mind. I work on diaphragmatic and breathing exercises. I often insult myself. If the opponent sees that you're in trouble and you're talking to yourself, take advantage of that.”

If you can't dig in and face your fears, you either lose the match or you have to retire: there are no escape routes or alternative strategies to adopt. If you have to accept them, you accept them. It's a sport that helps you in life, because if you know how to face your fears on the field, you can also face them off the field – Lorenzo Musetti

Lorenzo Musetti does not recommend a one-handed lapel for today's tennis

He also returned to the two players who now dominate tennis. “Jannik and carlos are one step ahead of everyone and prove it every time. They are two completely opposite players: Jannik is a Djokovic 2.0, hits harder; Carlos is more of an artist and being an artist has ups and downs and can be less effective than Jannik who is a bulldozer. We hope to get closer to them”.

For Musetti, tennis is art, the pleasure of playing and absolute fun. “People want to see this type of tennis, consisting of slices and one-handed backhands, even though, from a practical point of view, it is difficult to be able to keep up with strong hitters. I was asked if I would recommend pursuing a career with a one-handed backhand, and honestly I said no. Tennis is being played faster and at a higher intensity, which is difficult to achieve with the one-handed backhand,” he said.

Lorenzo Musetti/Photo: Imago Images

Lorenzo Musetti: “Sometimes people who don't have a rich sports culture think they can say anything”

Musetti also analyzed its relationship with today's world and the development of social networks. “From a practical point of view, I love it, but I can't be my own videographer; in important moments I have people who help me. I get a lot of affection from my fans, but you can't please everyone. I understand that you can't please everyone on a tennis level, on a human level, but when it comes to insults, I don't see much sense, especially when they are directed at my partner”said the one who is going to become the father of a boy for the second time. He and Veronica Confalonieri became parents for the first time on March 15, 2024, when Ludovico was born.

Money is an important component for family and children, but it is not everything. Happiness isn't about having a lot of money in your bank account: it's about family values, connections with my team, and relationships developed with dedication and perseverance – Lorenzo Musetti

Lorenzo Musetti further explained: “That's why I deleted the comments of people I don't follow. I don't want to receive anymore only insults, because there are so many people who criticize me harshly, mainly because of the bets and because they think that they sell the matches. Sometimes people who do not have a rich sports culture think they can say anything, but this can refer to something from the perspective of the fans; I would never allow myself, even as a sportsman, to give technical, tactical or related to everyone's mind”.