The sun-soaked courts of Melbourne Park were buzzing with anticipation. Fans filling into the stands for the Australian Open Fan Week expected flair, fire, and a glimpse of what the upcoming Grand Slam would offer. And with Lorenzo Musetti (5) and Alexander Zverev (3) headlining the exhibition clash, the crowd sensed they were in for a treat. Yet, what began as an ideal tune-up match for two top-tier talents took an unexpected, worrying turn, especially for the Italian star.

In the opening minutes, the exhibition match delivered everything fans had hoped for. Musetti and Zverev traded blistering groundstrokes and seamless court coverage, engaging in a first set that had all the makings of a classic. But beneath the tight rallies and clean winners, something felt slightly off on Musetti’s end. Zverev broke first to take a 3-2 lead, capitalizing on a rare loose service game from the Italian. Then, while changing ends, the Italian highlighted, “It's pretty bad at the moment. I arrived this morning with the delay of the flight, and all of a sudden, my physio is already in the hospital. He's not feeling well, so didn't start the day well, but hopefully we will finish better.”

Lorenzo Musetti tried to get the break back, but Alexander Zverev was firm on his serve. Although Musetti managed to make it 5-4 later on, the first set went in favor of the German, 7-6(7). For the Italian, that was the final straw - not emotionally, but physically. As both players returned to their chairs, Musetti sat down gingerly, immediately signaling for treatment. His hip was clearly bothering him, the movement visibly restricted. After a few minutes of evaluation, the signs were unmistakable: continuing would be a risk. He apologized to the fans and added, “I hoped that today could be a better day. I would have liked to continue, but I preferred not to risk it.”

Clearly, it wasn’t his day, and all Musetti could hope for was to get some appreciation from the fans for the nail-biting set that they had played. And in truth, the crowd did. But the concern was unavoidable - especially with the Australian Open main-draw action just days away.

Lorenzo Musetti’s retirement comes on the heels of an exhausting travel schedule. He had only just flown in from Hong Kong, where he reached the final of the Hong Kong Open before falling short to an in-form Alexander Bublik. 

He had also reached the finals in the doubles event of that same tournament, which makes a total of seven matches. With the year’s first Grand Slam beginning from January 18 to February 1, Musetti will be hoping the exhibition mishap remains just that - a brief setback rather than a sign of deeper trouble. What did others say about his recent retirement from this exhibition match, though?

Alexander Zverev shares his thoughts on Lorenzo Musetti’s mid-match retirement

What began as a thrilling exhibition showdown at Melbourne Park ended in an abrupt and concerning moment for Lorenzo Musetti. But while fans were left holding their breath, Alexander Zverev offered nothing but admiration and empathy for his young opponent.

After the match, Zverev was quick to pay tribute to Musetti, reminding everyone that the Italian had pushed himself far more than most would in similar circumstances. “Lorenzo just arrived from Hong Kong, he gave it his all. Few players would have done the same. I won the last time against Lorenzo, who had beaten me three times in a row.”

As he spoke, there was no denying the genuine respect between the two players. Zverev knows firsthand how tricky Lorenzo Musetti’s game can be, and he didn’t hesitate to highlight it again. “He has a very varied game; he masters many shots, it's difficult to play well against him because of his tennis. He is 23 years old and has two children; he has enormous potential on and off the court. It's no coincidence that he is in the Top 5.”

In fact, he doubled down on his belief that the Italian has all the tools to become one of the sport’s biggest stars. “He is definitely somebody that potentially can win Grand Slams, can win Masters Series, and we’re going to see that over the next couple of years.”

Former doubles player Ryan Harrison supported Musetti’s retirement from this exhibition match by saying, “You’ve got to be smart here. You want to give the fans a show, but that was a heck of an opening set…” Andrea Petkovic also shared her insight, highlighting how Lorenzo Musetti’s hip discomfort could have developed.

“This is very typical after long flights. After long flights, your back is really stiff, and you take that extra step… Hopefully it’s just a muscle stiffening up rather than anything else,” she said.

For now, the tennis world holds its breath and hopes his latest setback remains nothing more than a precautionary pause.

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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