Lorenzo Musetti is setting the tone early for his intentions in 2026, mapping out a climb toward the game’s elite and openly embracing the challenge of inserting himself into the rivalry currently dominated by Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
Speaking after receiving the Athlete of the Year honor at the Gazzetta Sports Awards, the Italian star outlined his renewed vision and expanded support system, framing the next phase of his career as a deliberate push toward what he called the “leap in quality” he has been working toward.
A Closer Look at Lorenzo Musetti’s Defining 2025 Season That Set Up His 2026 Ambition
Musetti’s push for growth comes at a pivotal moment in his career. The 23-year-old enjoyed several major breakthroughs in 2025, including reaching the Monte Carlo final, advancing to the Roland Garros semifinals, cracking the Top 10 for the first time, and soaking in an emotional welcome from home fans during the season-ending event in Turin.
These results cemented his reputation as one of the sport’s most gifted shotmakers, but they also highlighted the gap he hopes to close. With Sinner surging and Alcaraz adding to his own list of elite achievements, Musetti sees 2026 as the time to elevate his consistency and mentality. Reinforcing his team is his pathway to make that happen.
Can a New Coaching Dynamic Help Musetti Close the Gap on Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz?
During his media session, Musetti revealed that he has strengthened his team by bringing in veteran coach José Perlas to work alongside his longtime mentor Simone Tartarini, explaining that the balance between familiarity and fresh insight could unlock higher levels in his game.
“I’ve added an important figure to my team like José Perlas, whom I believe can bring me something extra, alongside my long-standing figure Simone Tartarini. I think their joint work can lead to steps forward, to the definitive leap in quality that I’m seeking,” he said at the event.
🎙️Lorenzo Musetti ai ‘Gazzetta Awards’:
“Ho aggiunto al mio team una figura importante come José Perlas, che reputo possa portarmi qualcosa in più, assieme alla mia figura storica Tartarini. Il lavoro congiunto credo possa portare a dei passi in avanti, al salto di qualità… pic.twitter.com/Cj3LfHHlek— Quindici Zero 🎾 (@quindicizero) December 11, 2025
MORE: Lorenzo Musetti Choice Receives Enormous Backlash from Fans as Jannik Sinner, Other Italians Snubbed
Musetti was equally candid about his broader goal, acknowledging how far Sinner and Alcaraz have separated themselves this season and embracing the challenge of catching up to them.
“I hope to take the place of the third wheel between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. This year, the gap with all the other players has been evident. Adding these important figures to the team is an attempt to close that gap with them,” he added.
Musetti reflected on his standout 2025 season, highlighting the achievements and milestones he accomplished. He said the Turin crowd’s reception and his second round-robin match with Alex de Minaur, where he won in three sets, were the most unforgettable moments.
