Asics a big asset to Musetti in his tennis career

Sweating it out: Lorenzo Musetti preparing for his opening match at the Australian Open. — ASICS

MELBOURNE: The new year hasn’t only brought about a new look for Olympic bronze medallist Lorenzo Musetti, but new kicks have also given the Italian player a pep in his step for the Australian Open.

The 22-year-old, who defeated Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime at the Paris Olympics to take the bronze medal, is sporting a fresh new look from head to toe this year.

After a stellar 2024 season, the previously long-haired Musetti is now sporting a shorter cut, and had also officially joined the Asics family at the start of the year, and he’s hoping the new partnership can take him to new heights this year.

“2024 was probably my best season so far because I achieved many of my goals, and many dreams of mine came true,” said Musetti during the Asics Tennis Summit here recently.

“But of course, when you reach certain goals, you have to find new ways to improve. And the only way to do that is to set higher goals for yourself.

“I’m a really ambitious guy, and of course, I would love to lift the trophy at every tournament,”

Musetti’s standout season last year saw him achieve his career-high ranking of world No. 15, reached the Wimbledon semi-finals, and secured a Davis Cup title with the Italian team.

The rising player had previously captured the Australian Open Junior title in 2019, and is hoping Asic’s new Gel-Resolution X will be able to deliver him the performance needed to replicate his win against the professionals this year.

“I have won here in the juniors, and hopefully I can do the same on the pro side,” he said.

“I do feel that I have switched to the best brand possible for me to do it in, it’s important to be surrounded by people that support you and I have found that here with Asics.

“It’s important not just to support an athlete when they are achieving results, but also on the bad days,” he said.

Musetti had recently competed at the Hong Kong Open at the start of the year, making it to the quarter-finals until Spain’s Jaume Munar beat him 2-6, 7-6, 7-5.

Musetti will start his Australian Open campaign today against compatriot Matteo Arnaldi.