Sofia Open 2023 will be the third for this year’s top-seed – Lorenzo Musetti, in Sofia. In 2021, he lost to Dimitar Kuzmanov in the first round, and a year later he reached the semifinals, where he was defeated by future champion Marc-Andrea Huesler.
Musetti arrived in Sofia after four consecutive defeats, the last two of which were against Grigor Dimitrov. His best results of the year so far have been semi-finals in Barcelona, Boshad and Chengdu, as well as quarter-finals in Monte Carlo, Stuttgart, Queen’s Club and Hamburg.
His first opponent at Sofia Open 2023 will be Jack Draper or Maximilian Marterer.
Today Musetti met Bulgarian kids and then spoke with media in “Arena Sofia”.
You have played twice in Sofia, last year you reached the semi-finals. What are the goals this year?
First of all – so nice to come back here. We got the news that Sofia will be the host after Tel Aviv have been pulled out. I think it was a good option. Two years ago, I was feeling really well here. Good conditions. I know the situation this year. It was done big job to make this event possible. A big thanks to all workers that made this possible.
I think I want to play the last week of the season, because the last three tournaments were not that great for me. I will try my best to close with a good vibe and good matches and hope that I will go further than the last year.
What happened in the last matches?
Against Dimitrov? Yeah, against Grigor. Everyone saw that Grigor had an amazing season this year so far. He played really well. I saw him really in a good form. In Paris, last game, was really tough. I was close to lose and then I got back in the second set. It was a really tough game. I saw him really in a great shape. I wish him the best because he is really nice guy and really nice player. He is someone that inspire the next generation and myself.
You are the second youngest here, but lead the seed. In which part of your game you made the biggest progress since your semi-final here last year?
I think, playing 50-60 matches a year … Every match you get something. Especially when you lose. This year it was a complicated year for me. I got a lot of ups and downs. I didn’t start the year well for sure. I got a really nice season on clay and grass. And then there were no many results. I think that is not the technical part different than the last year. Of course, I made some improvements for sure. But that is more of being more in the circuit and the Tour. Get more confidence and get more experience. It is like sort of baggage that you wear with more weight. The biggest job is now that I am trying to carry this baggage on the court and, you know, having that experience on my side, you know, as a plus.
It looks you have a new goal – the final. What do you think about the conditions?
I will say that probably I am more experienced than the others, but in this court. Because I was here two years ago and last year. And I played two matches with the Bulgarian guys – tough matches. This year I had no chances to try the court yet on the main site. But we got the chance to practice at Sofia Hall. For two weeks preparations and the problems with the elections here, I think the tournament made everything possible to save the tournament. I am happy to be here and happy that may play and we have the opportunity to go back on court tomorrow.
What happened with you after the victory against Djokovic in Monte Carlo?
It probably was and still is the most memorable win that I have in my career. It was a really tough game, tough conditions. Probably that day cost me a lot physically. I was really struggling in the next day in the quarterfinal against Jannik. Because it was a complicated match with a lot of stress. Beating a legend like Novak is like a dream. After that I got more confidence in my game. After that I went in Barcelona and played semi-final. Then I went In Rome and went to third round, beating Tiaffo. And then won in the third round in Paris at French Open. Definitely that win gave me a lot of motivation and confidence in a tough period for me.
