“It was a joke” – Musetti stunned by Djokovic’s level of returning

Lorenzo Musetti could not have done much more to avoid defeat against Novak Djokovic in their Wimbledon semi-final.

The Italian played to a very high standard, pulling off shots worthy of the highlights reel for the tournament’s finest. He used his devilish slice well, and implemented the drop shot to good effect. He was resilient, saving three consecutive match points and refusing to fade in the third.

Yet, despite all this, history will tell only the story of a straight-sets win for Djokovic.

The most dispiriting aspect of this loss for Musetti is not the scoreline itself, but the fact that there was very little in the Italian’s power that he could do to stop the 24-time Grand Slam champion. He certainly couldn’t have played much better, bar a loose service game in the second set on which the match could have taken a slightly different path.

Regardless of that error-ridden service game, though, it seems almost impossible that Musetti would have been able to navigate a route to victory. Despite serving well for most of the contest, apart from the aforementioned second-set break, Djokovic’s return game was close to unstoppable.

“Today I was really impressed,” Musetti said in his post-match press conference.

“Probably was our first meeting on grass, I’ve never faced him on grass. I have to say that I think his tennis really fits very well on this surface. Especially how he returns, it’s something, like, kind of a joke.

“I have to say today was really a joke at the end how he was returning.

“Of course, also in important points he was playing, especially on the second set, like at the end, I had let’s say most chances to break him, but he was serving really well. He deserved to win.

“I think the combination of the two games can bring every match a great intensity, great rallies, great fight from both players. So that’s why they’re always nice, let’s say, fights.”

impressive grass-court season for musetti comes to an end

Despite falling short of a maiden appearance in a Wimbledon final, Musetti’s grass-court season is one he can be thoroughly proud of.

The Italian reached the final of Queen’s before a first Grand Slam semi-final appearance in SW19, both of which has shown what an excellent grass-court player he is.

“I have to say that I go home with a lot of positive things to bring and positive feelings,” Musetti added.

“It has been two amazing weeks for me. You know, was really surprising how I could stay at his level today. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved in this tournament.”

The next big event on Musetti’s calendar will be the Paris Olympics at the end of the month, where he will be part of an Italian team currently enjoying a remarkable run of national success across both the men’s and women’s game.

“Every week there is, let’s say, one Italian name in the last four, in the last two or the winner. I have to say, of course, I have my own career. I have my own way, but of course, if somebody goes far in the tournament from Italy, I’m really happy for them.

“Of course, we are in for the Olympics this year, they are, you know, a special place for me.

“I’m really looking forward to sharing this Italian tennis with the world.”

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