French Open 2025: Lorenzo Musetti kicks a ball that hits line judge, reaches French semis for first time

The Times of India at Roland Garros: Lorenzo Musetti, the single-handed backhand’s newest ambassador, covered his already stirring 2025 European clay court swing in glory, by making the semifinals of the French Open for the first time. The inform Italian claimed a 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 win over American Frances Tiafoe, winning eight of the final ten games.

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Musetti, 23, ranked seven in the world, was lucky not to be defaulted when he unintentionally kicked a ball which hit a line judge. No one was hurt, but by the letter of the law, which is open to interpretation, the curtain could’ve come down on his clay court season. “Today it was really complicated to play well,” Musetti said.


“It was so windy. It was really tough but I found the extra energy.”



“We’re Italian, we’re all elegant,” he said of his play. “I have a retro style, there aren’t many players who play a one-handed backhand. When I got my first tennis racket, for me it was natural to play a one-handed backhand. My coach didn’t change it.”