Musetti: "Jódar and Blockx have impressed me, they are a great incentive for us"

Carlos Navarro | 4 May 2026 | 15.52

Musetti talked about Jódar and Blockx before making his debut in Rome. Source: Getty

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Lorenzo Musetti arrives at the 2026 ATP Rome aiming to string together victories, regain the sensations from the beginning of the season, and prove that his success in 2025 was not just a one-day wonder or a small illusion. What better stage to achieve this than a tournament where he holds unforgettable memories: in few environments have we seen Lolo play better, with conditions that suit him perfectly and a fervent and enamored Roman crowd, amazed by his backhand finesse and his skill in painting on the beautiful canvas that is Foro Italico.

However, his approach to this tournament in Carrara has changed. The title seems like a distant goal: the main aim is to accumulate victories, gain confidence, and prove to himself that the injury that halted his progress is a thing of the past. Regaining his smile is the number one commandment, and doing so in the square that saw him born, with a 2020 tournament where, as a mere youngster, he defeated names like Wawrinka and Nishikori... there is no better combination, of course.

"Here in Rome, it's hard for me not to remember the first matches I won as a professional, against Wawrinka and Nishikori, which were my confirmation and breakthrough into the elite of the circuit. I only regret that there was no audience, but there was a lot of anticipation. These are great memories of this tournament, although I also remember my quarter-final match from last year against Zverev, which was fantastic and very important from a mental perspective", stated the Italian in the press conference before the tournament, as reported by Ubitennis.

The crowd will be a fundamental factor for Musetti to regain his smile... in a tournament where he feels very comfortable

Lorenzo's recent memories in front of his home crowd take us back to his debut at the ATP Finals and his thrilling victory in the group stage against Alex de Miñaur. That match, partly won thanks to the great support of the local crowd, remains vivid in his mind... and he aims to recreate something similar in his matches on Roman clay. "Without them, I probably wouldn't have won that match. It's easy to get emotional and tense if you don't take that support in the right way, but since I believe the expectations are lower this year, and I haven't had the same results as in other years, I'm going with a more relaxed attitude. I'll try to regain my confidence through the fans, yes. I would like to feel that warmth and affection from the crowd, that will make me better", Lorenzo frankly expressed.

Not only can the warmth of the crowd be an extra factor: the conditions of the Italian tournament represent another significant positive stimulus for his tennis and confidence to flourish. "I only stepped on Pietrangeli yesterday, today I'll practice on the Central. We'll see if the conditions differ based on the court. It's slower than Madrid, where the altitude speeds everything up, and more similar to Monte Carlo, at sea level. I don't see many differences compared to other seasons", he commented when asked about how he has noticed the conditions this year.

ATP Rome, Musetti: "The crowd can restore my confidence. Young talents help us improve"https://t.co/i5cchHvA8o
— Ubitennis (@Ubitennis) May 4, 2026

A great reflection on the arrival of youngsters like Blockx and Jódar

Perhaps the most notable aspect of Musetti's words revolves around the emergence of new promising young players in the upper echelons of the circuit. How does Lorenzo view the rise and surprise generated by figures like Rafael Jódar or Alexander Blockx? With calmness, maturity... and even appreciating their entrance into the elite. "Personally, I am quite happy. Young players are the ones who have always compelled and enabled us, the veterans, to improve. They are an important incentive for us, to try to distance ourselves even further from the younger ones. It's a cycle, yes, but I must say that Jódar and Blockx have impressed me. And what strikes me the most is that they are two serious, calm guys, with a great support system around them, they are good guys".

Lorenzo speaks warmly and closely; there are few better locker room companions than him, despite his status as a wounded lion. We will see if Rome presents an opportunity to change things and return to the forefront of the pack... or if the young ones continue closing the gap.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Musetti: "Jódar y Blockx me han impresionado, son un gran incentivo para nosotros"

Lorenzo Musetti