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EXCLUSIVE - Simone Tartarini On Coaching Lorenzo Musetti

·11 min·1 clip

Simone Tartarini reveals why Lorenzo Musetti's year started poorly and how South American clay conditions derailed his early season.

This episode features an interview with Simone Tartarini, the long-time coach of Italian tennis player Lorenzo Musetti. The host questions Tartarini about Musetti's recent season and his impending fatherhood. Tartarini has coached Musetti since the player was eight years old and is considered a father figure. Musetti's 2023 season began poorly with a first-round loss in Australia to South African player Lloyd Harris. Tartarini notes Musetti then played clay-court tournaments in South America, which presented unfamiliar conditions like fast clay in Buenos Aires. The season improved during the European clay swing, with consistent results reaching at least the second round in Monte Carlo, Rome, and Paris. Musetti also performed well on grass, making quarterfinals in Stuttgart and at Queen's Club, and reaching Wimbledon's third round. Tartarini reveals Musetti's private life is changing as he is expecting a child, which introduces new responsibilities like planning a house. He compares this situation to American player Taylor Fritz, who also became a father young. Tartarini believes Musetti's intelligence will help him manage fatherhood and that this new responsibility could positively impact his tennis. He describes Musetti's playing style as creative and old-fashioned, utilizing a one-handed backhand, angles, and frequent drop shots. Tartarini states this unique style makes it difficult for Musetti to play his best tennis consistently every week. He predicts Musetti will break into the world's top ten within two or three years, reaching his peak projection around age 23 or 24. Tartarini contrasts Musetti's mentality and game with those of top players like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. He announces a planned change for the coming season, where a new assistant, Corrado Barazzutti, will join the team for 10-12 weeks. Barazzutti is an experienced coach who has worked with Fabio Fognini, Francesca Schiavone, and served as Italy's Davis Cup captain. Tartarini views this addition as crucial for bringing new experience and perspective for both Musetti and himself. He frames this move as similar to the coaching model Novak Djokovic has used with Marian Vajda. Tartarini expresses his deep personal connection to Musetti, whom he considers a third son. The tone is conversational and informal, marked by Tartarini's candid and sometimes fragmented English. The style is educational, offering an insider's perspective on player development and coaching logistics. Tennis fans interested in player psychology, coaching dynamics, and Lorenzo Musetti's career trajectory would love this episode. Listeners seeking highly polished production or in-depth tactical analysis might skip it.

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