WATCH: Carlos Alcaraz asks French Open fans to cheer for Lorenzo Musetti after latter’s heartbreaking retirement ends SF

Carlos Alcaraz was seen asking the crowd to cheer for Lorenzo Musetti as he made an unfortunate exit from the semifinals of the French Open. The Italian had a formidable run at the tournament prior to the semifinal fixture against the Spaniard due to a left leg injury.

In the first two sets of the match, he was seen putting Alcaraz in deep trouble with his effective returns and dominant serves. At the end of the first set, he had a whopping 71% success rate in his first serves compared to the 22-year-old’s mere 49%.

However, he was seen gradually losing momentum after winning the first set, due to discomfort caused by his injury, which prompted Alcaraz to target his weak point and make a comeback in his match. He was forced to retire after the Spaniard had won eight games straight and was leading 2-0 in the fourth.

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As Alcaraz qualified for his fifth Grand Slam finals and his second consecutive at the tournament, he lauded Musetti for the great character he displayed throughout the match and asked the crowd that had gathered for the outing to cheer for him.

Watch the clip here:

Even though it is unclear if this injury will put Lorenzo Musetti's upcoming Wimbledon campaign in question, Carlos Alcaraz showed him respect after the match.

Carlos Alcaraz sends best wishes to Lorenzo Musetti after qualifying for finals

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz expressed his gratitude for being able to play against Lorenzo Musetti and wished him a speedy recovery as the Spaniard qualified for his second consecutive Roland Garros finals.

During the on-court ceremony after the match, Alcaraz complimented the 23-year-old's dominant display.

“It’s never great getting through or winning a match like this. Lorenzo is a great player. He has had an incredible clay season. [He is] one of the few players who achieved at least the semi-finals at all the biggest events on clay. I think just four players had done that before… I always wish him all the best, a quick recovery, and hopefully we are going to enjoy his tennis pretty soon,” said Alcaraz.

Alcaraz will be taking on the winner of the second semifinals, which could either be Novak Djokovic or Jannik Sinner, and also said that he will be hooked on to their match to witness one of the biggest battles on the surface.

The final of the Paris Slam is set to be held on Sunday, June 7.

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About the author

Aatreyi Sarkar

Aatreyi Sarkar is a tennis journalist at Sportskeeda. Currently pursuing a degree in Comparative Literature from Jadavpur University and a U.S. State Department scholar at The University of Kansas, she blends her academic background with her passion for storytelling.

Aatreyi sources accurate information from social media platforms to stay updated on the latest developments and fan discussions. She strives to produce engaging, insightful, and experimental content that connects with readers, aspiring to make tennis more accessible and captivating for fans around the globe

She finds immense inspiration in Novak Djokovic, whose incredible comebacks and relentless determination motivate her to approach her work with the same passion. Roland Garros is her favorite tournament, cherished for its unique clay-court challenges and historical importance.

Though new to professional writing, Aatreyi has been an avid debater and quizzer since middle school, showcasing her analytical skills and creativity. Outside tennis, she is a passionate cricket fan, baker, and reader who enjoys exploring literature beyond academic constraints.

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