Musetti sets his goal for 2026: "Close the gap with Sinner and Alcaraz"

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Lorenzo Musetti is currently collecting awards after his strong performance in the 2025 season, although it is inevitable to look towards the future and start thinking about the next step. What is it? I think we all have it pretty clear.

And not only for Lorenzo Musetti, but for all the members of the top 10 who have experienced firsthand the tremendous level gap between them and Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. In statements collected by Eurosport, we can hear the Italian commenting on how he plans to tackle this issue and what taste this last season left him, where he achieved his best ranking as a professional.

Currently holding the famous tradition of the one-handed backhand within the top 10 –since the creation of the ATP ranking, there has always been at least one at the end of each season–, Lorenzo Musetti knew months ago that in 2026 he would need an extra boost at all levels to continue growing as a player. Hand in hand with Simone Tartarini since he was a junior, the Italian has come to the conclusion that José Perlas was the right person to join the project. If something goes wrong next season, by experience, it certainly won't be on his behalf.

"He is an important figure that I think can add something more besides my historic coach, Simone Tartarini," acknowledges Lolo in the statements collected in the article. "I believe that teamwork among all of us can lead us to take steps forward, to make the final leap that I am looking for. It has been two weeks since we started the preseason, we are working hard, the feelings are very positive. Our first stop will be Australia, I only have good intentions for this new season," adds the current World No. 6.

Before Perlas' arrival, though, Musetti had already managed to break his own limits at all levels in 2025, although he was lacking in lifting a title. "There are several moments this season that continue to resonate in my head, such as the Monte Carlo final, the Roland Garros semifinals, or entering the top 10 of the world rankings. The best moment, however, I believe was the welcome I received from the crowd in Turin, my victory there against Alex De Minaur. It was something truly beautiful, difficult to describe in words," recalls with emotion the one from Carrara.

"I'm working with the intention of being more aggressive, I think this is fundamental in modern play," reviews Musetti, who has never hidden his obsession with improvement, although it is true that the circuit has also constantly shown him that he still needs something more to beat the top players. "I think my qualities can go in that direction, I'm not just talking about being an attacker, but also about being more proactive from the initial shots of the game. Right now, we are moving in that direction," acknowledges the 23-year-old.

Musetti and the goal of chasing Sinner and Alcaraz

None of the current top 10 would probably be so concerned about improvement if it weren't for the defeats that the two great dominators of the circuit have handed out to them month after month. We're talking about Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the duo that has managed to open a gap as big with them as they have with the World No. 1000. The Italian knows it, and so does everyone else, although not all players would dare to speak so openly about the issue.

"This season has shown the distance between them and the others, both are one step ahead of everyone. If I have decided to add some important figures to my team precisely to try to take a big step in that direction, to close a gap that has been very evident this year. I hope in the future to be able to occupy that third step on the podium," acknowledged Lorenzo.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Musetti marca su objetivo para 2026: “Cerrar la brecha con Sinner y Alcaraz”