Lorenzo Musetti refused to answer a question about French Open opponent Carlos Alcaraz as he felt it was “very disrespectful.”
The Italian star will take on reigning champion and four-time major winner Alcaraz in the semi-finals at Roland Garros on Friday.
It will be Musetti’s third meeting with Alcaraz during the 2025 clay-court season after defeats to the Spaniard in Monte Carlo and Rome. Alcaraz leads the over head-to-head 5-1 having won the past five encounters.
Musetti overcame Frances Tiafoe 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 in the last eight, while Alcaraz destroyed Tommy Paul 6-0, 6-1, 6-4.
After his French Open win against Tiafoe, Musetti was asked how he would prepare to face Alcaraz before the 22-year-old Spaniard had played his quarter-final match with Paul.
The 23-year-old expressed his disdain for the question as he replied: “Already? Already?”
After shaking his head, Musetti continued: “Honestly, I found it really disrespectful for Tommy [Paul], for the ones who they play, to have a question already about the semi-finals.
“There is a match to play and honestly I don’t want to answer this question.”
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The world No 7 also addressed avoiding disqualification for accidentally hitting a line judge with a ball he kicked in frustration in the Tiafoe match.
“Honestly, I think it was an unfortunate coincidence,” Musetti told reporters. “I have to admit I was a little scared when I saw it, because I didn’t want to hurt anyone.
“I immediately went to apologise to the line umpire and I extend those apologies to everyone.
“I think it was right that I was given a warning because the chair umpire clearly saw that I had no intention of doing that. I think that’s why he let me continue playing.”
Alcaraz shares his thoughts on facing Musetti after progressing to the last four.
“He’s world number seven, or number six, I don’t know for sure,” the world No 2 said in his press conference.
“He’s joined the select group of players who have reached the semi-finals of all the major clay-court tournaments in a single season.
“I think only four have done so far, and that shows the level at which he’s playing and the confidence he has.
“I’ve seen his matches and he’s playing at a very high level, there’s nothing out there about him. We have to show the same level if we want to have a chance, and we’re going to try to enjoy it; it’s going to be a very nice battle.”
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