Jannik Sinner, Lorenzo Musetti & the acceleration of tennis’ Italian renaissance

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Sinner, Musetti & the acceleration of tennis’ Italian renaissance

They are second Italian duo in history to reach SFs at same Grand Slam tournament

Peter Staples/ATP Tour Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti are both into the semi-finals at Roland Garros. By Jerome Coombe

Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti have been at the forefront of an Italian tennis boom, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down at Roland Garros.

Their simultaneous presence in the semi-finals at the clay-court major this week marks just the second time in history that two Italians have reached the last four of the same Grand Slam tournament, 65 years after Nicola Pietrangeli and Orlando Sirola made deep runs in Paris in 1960.

Yet the 2025 edition of this event feels like more than a coincidence: It appears to be a new standard.

Sinner, who is completing his 52nd consecutive week as No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings, is chasing his third consecutive major title. He is riding a 19-match Grand Slam winning streak — the ninth longest in the Open Era — heading into the semi-finals in Paris.

Right behind him, Musetti’s surge has added depth and flair to Italy’s rise. Known for his one-handed backhand and natural ability, Musetti was a standout junior, reaching World No. 1 in 2019.

After an impressive clay-court swing this year, during which he became the first Italian player to reach the semi-finals at all three ATP Masters 1000 events on the surface, he has risen to a career-high No. 5 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings.

“We support each other very well,” Sinner said of his relationship with Musetti. "We know each other obviously much better now because of playing the Davis Cup together, and we have a good relationship off the court.

“I just wish him only the best to stay healthy, to be relaxed. He has found good stability off court, and you can see that on court. He's an amazing player, [a] Top-5 player now. [I’m] very happy for him, and he's reaching for more, so it's good.”

Fabio Fognini ended the 40-year wait for an Italian to rise inside the Top 10 in 2019, and Matteo Berrettini joined in 2022. Prior to that, only Adriano Panatta and Corrado Barazzutti had reached such heights since the inception of the PIF ATP Rankings in 1973.

Panatta had held the mark as top Italian ever by reaching No. 4. Now, not only has Sinner held World No. 1 for a year, but Musetti is threatening to crack the Top 4 himself at the same time. But first, they have unfinished business at Roland Garros.

“I guess it’s a process of growing, but only inside the court but especially off the court,” said Musetti, who could climb as high as No. 4 this week. “Last year I became a father, and I think that gave me an extra responsibility. I think now I approach things in a more professional way, not just on the court, but in my daily routine: When I practise and in my free time.”

Despite both being 23 years of age, Sinner and Musetti have experienced contrasting routes to the top of the game.

During his childhood, Sinner was a talented skier, but later shifted his attention to tennis. He chose to focus on professional tournaments and therefore did not reach the Top 100 in the junior rankings, as Musetti did. Yet Sinner has quickly emerged as one of the Tour’s most methodical and fearless competitors since immersing himself in the sport.

Now, Sinner and Musetti represent more than individual success: They symbolise a cultural shift. Italian tennis is no longer hoping for the occasional breakthrough, it is demanding excellence.

The depth in strength of Italian tennis players stretches much further than Sinner and Musetti. Jasmine Paolini, the Hologic WTA Tour No. 4, leads the nation on the women's side, while Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori have cemented themselves as a top doubles team. They have won three tour-level titles this year and reached the Australian Open final in 2024-25 as well as the championship match at last year's Roland Garros.

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