Lorenzo Musetti, seeded eleventh in the men’s singles draw, claimed bronze for Italy after a three-set victory over Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime. Demonstrating discipline and consistency, Musetti employed a high-percentage game plan to draw errors from his opponent, coming out on top after two hours and 17 minutes of play. The result marks Italy’s second podium finish in Olympic tennis history, coming one century after Uberto de Morpurgo’s bronze in 1924 – at a Games that were also hosted in Paris. Musetti’s victory is both personally and historically significant, capping off an impressive week for the twenty-two year old while inducting him into the hallowed ranks of Italian Olympic medallists.
Big Wins: Musetti’s Path in Paris
Musetti, who reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon last month, faced stern competition en route to the podium. In the third round, he scored a comprehensive victory over former top-5 player, Taylor Fritz, before ousting the defending champion, Alexander Zverev, in two tight sets. However – at the semi-final stage – his run was halted by a dominant Novak Djokovic, forcing Musetti into the bronze medal matchup on Courte Philippe Chatrier. The young Italian seized the opportunity, surviving a second-set fightback from the big-serving Canadian to clinch the final medal. In doing so, he denied Auger-Aliassime a second medal at the Games, with the Canadian winning bronze in the mixed doubles with Gabriela Dabrowski the previous day. Asked how he planned to celebrate, Musetti drew laughs from the audience: ‘I’ve been eating plain pasta and chicken for three months’, he admitted, ‘so I think eating a pizza is the least I can do tonight!’
Musetti, Sinner, Paolini: Bright Days for Italian Tennis
The result comes during a golden era for Italian tennis. Besides Jannik Sinner’s ascent to the top of the ATP rankings, the pairing of Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani won Italy’s first tennis gold at the Olympics after conquering the women’s doubles event last week. These successes follow Italy’s Davis Cup title in 2023 (spearheaded by Sinner and Musetti) and Paolini’s runner-up trophies at both the French Open and Wimbledon. As a result, some commentators have described Italy as the world’s greatest tennis nation today. Despite these remarkable achievements, Musetti’s sights are set on further glories – for both himself, and his country. Speaking with reporters after his victory at Roland Garros, he described the medal as ‘a starting point’, indicating the bold aspirations of a player riding the momentum of his best year on tour.
Fatherhood and Family Life
Off the court, Musetti is kept equally busy, having recently welcomed a son with his partner, Veronica Confalonieri. The couple (who have been together since 2022) announced their pregnancy during the offseason, sharing photographs of a maternity photoshoot in the Maldives. Musetti has expressed joy at the news, stating that ‘Veronica and I made the decision to become parents without hesitation and with great firmness’, and has shared the couple’s intention to base their young family at Monte Carlo, near Confalonieri’s parents. Confalonieri, a graphic designer for Sky Sports Italy, has shown similar excitement, posting numerous snaps of Musetti and their son to her social media accounts.
Lorenzo Musetti and Veronica Confalonieri during a maternity photoshoot in the Maldives.
Next Steps
The future is certainly exciting for Musetti, who will navigate the role of fatherhood alongside the stardom and expectations that accompany his Olympic triumph. All eyes will be on him throughout the rest of the season – particularly at the US Open, where he will seek to add a Grand Slam title to his impressive accomplishments so far. Beyond that, Musetti has stated his commitment to qualifying for the ATP Finals (held on Italian soil, in Turin), a feat that would firmly establish him at the highest level of professional tennis.
