Lorenzo Musetti has officially announced his withdrawal from the upcoming Davis Cup Final 8, slated to take place in Bologna. Musetti’s decision comes after his recent performance at the ATP Finals, where he faced off against top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz in a tightly contested round-robin match, culminating in a defeat.
This announcement follows the earlier withdrawal of Italy’s rising star, Jannik Sinner, currently ranked No. 2 in the world. Musetti cited exhaustion after a grueling match schedule leading up to the ATP Finals, including a challenging final in Athens against Novak Djokovic, as pivotal in his decision to step back. The 21-year-old player also expressed that he is preparing to welcome a new addition to his family, as his partner, Veronica, is pregnant with their second child.
In his statement regarding the withdrawal, Musetti reflected on the difficult choice: “Considering my physical state and the family obligations, I have consulted with captain Filippo Volandri and decided not to participate in the Davis Cup finals in Bologna. It is obviously disappointing, especially given the momentum I built up leading into this event. But after recent weeks of intense matches, I recognized the challenges of recovery in such a short span.”
Italy, the defending champion, has secured the Davis Cup title in the past two consecutive years with contributions from both Musetti and Sinner. The absence of these key players leaves Italy with significant holes in their lineup, raising questions about their chance for a third title.
The schedule for the Davis Cup Final 8 is set as follows:
– Quarterfinal 1: France vs. Belgium on Tuesday, November 18, at 16:00 (CET)
– Quarterfinal 2: Italy vs. Austria on Wednesday, November 19, at 16:00 (CET)
– Quarterfinal 3: Spain vs. Czechia on Thursday, November 20, at 10:00 (CET)
– Quarterfinal 4: Argentina vs. Germany on Thursday, November 20, at 17:00 (CET)
– Semifinal 1 (QF1 vs. QF2) on Friday, November 21, at 16:00 (CET)
– Semifinal 2 (QF3 vs. QF4) on Saturday, November 22, at 12:00 (CET)
– Final on Sunday, November 23, at 15:00 (CET)
As the tournament approaches, tennis enthusiasts will be eager to see how each team adapts to the absence of prominent players like Musetti and Sinner, and how their competition unfolds in pursuit of the esteemed Davis Cup.
