In a thrilling turn of events, an Italian tennis player has clinched an Olympic medal for his country, a century after the historic achievement of Uberto de Morpurgo. Coincidentally, both victories took place in Paris, solidifying Italy’s mark in the world of tennis. Lorenzo Musetti, the talented athlete responsible for this incredible feat, poured his heart and soul into the competition, realizing one of his lifelong dreams.
Musetti’s triumph came in a nail-biting match against Felix Auger-Aliassime, where he emerged victorious in three hard-fought sets. This well-deserved win secured his place on the prestigious Olympic podium, claiming the bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Games. And the excitement doesn’t end there – Italy has the chance to add another medal to its tally, with Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani favored to win gold in the women’s doubles tournament.
Reflecting on his historic achievement, Musetti expressed, “I think it’s a historic moment for me and for the Italian tennis movement. The whole group won this medal, behind this victory there is the daily work of a team of people who follow me and support me. Today was a difficult match from all points of view. I was very tired, but I wanted it so much and I think I deserved it. I did better than yesterday in terms of attitude, but there were moments of nervousness.”
Despite the challenges he faced during the match, Musetti acknowledged, “In my opinion I wasn’t able to express my tennis at 100%. He served very well, especially in the important moments of the third set. We both raised the level, and it wasn’t easy to stay there. In the end I came out of it as a real player, taking risks and playing courageously. This is worth the medal. For me all this is a dream, it’s a happy moment in my life and my career.”
The road to victory was not without its obstacles for Musetti, who remarked, “I’ve reached several finals and lost them all this year, a little gift was needed in this Olympics. I’m really happy. I arrived last here and I sacrificed myself for the jersey. Obviously I was hoping for another medal, but today I’m really happy with my reaction.” Eurosport had the privilege of interviewing the elated athlete, capturing his emotions as he basked in the glory of his Olympic triumph.
