Musetti’s Melbourne ambitions clouded by hip injury after Top-5 milestone
Just days after ascending to a career-high world No. 5, Lorenzo Musetti faces a race against time for the Australian Open.
Lorenzo Musetti, 2026 | © Imago / PsNewz
Lorenzo Musetti’s debut as a member of the world’s top five has been met with immediate physical adversity. Just 48 hours after reaching a career-high ranking and falling in the final of the Hong Kong ATP 250, the Italian was forced to retire from a high-profile exhibition against world No. 3 Alexander Zverev at Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday.
The withdrawal came after a grueling 75-minute opening set which Zverev claimed 7-6(7). Musetti, who appeared hindered in his movement toward the end of the set, received treatment for a left hip issue before shakes hands with the German. The setback is a frustrating turn for the 23-year-old, who will be seeded No. 5 at the Australian Open when the main draw begins on Sunday.
Musetti optimistic
The injury follows an exhausting week in Hong Kong where Musetti’s physical resilience was already being tested. During Sunday’s singles final against Alexander Bublik – a match he lost 7-6, 6-3 – Musetti’s right elbow demanded multiple interventions from the trainer, sparking fears of a long-term layoff.
However, when he showed up to the doubles final later that evening with Lorenzo Sonego, it provided the first reassuring news regarding that specific ailment. Despite the singles disappointment, Musetti remained optimistic about his recovery and his overall fitness levels.
“It’s okay. I don’t think it will bother me in the next days,” Musetti said on Sunday regarding the elbow. “I have one week to prepare really well for the Australian Open, and I saw that, physically, I felt great, so not much to worry about. I took a painkiller, yes, but it took a little bit of time to work. But I repeat, Sasha [Bublik] deserved the match. He just played better than me in a certain situation. Next time, we will be more prepared and more experienced.”
New complication
While the elbow issue seems to have subsided, the transition to the hard courts of Melbourne has introduced a new complication with his hip. Musetti’s team has characterized the retirement against Zverev as “precautionary,” designed to give the Italian every chance to be fit for his first-round match in Melbourne Park.
Having reached two Grand Slam semifinals in the last 18 months, Musetti remains a dark horse for the title, provided his body can withstand the rigors of best-of-five-set tennis.
