Lorenzo Musetti Withdraws from Rio Open Due to Achilles Injury
Italian rising star Lorenzo Musetti, currently ranked 17th in the world, announced his withdrawal from the ATP 500 Rio Open on Monday due to an Achilles tendon injury that forced him to retire from the Buenos Aires tournament last week.
"This morning’s medical examinations confirmed that the injury I suffered in Buenos Aires is still present," the 22-year-old player wrote on his Instagram account.
The tendon issue prevented the Italian from playing his quarterfinal match at the ATP 250 Buenos Aires event on Friday, a tournament eventually won by 18-year-old Brazilian sensation Joao Fonseca (ranked 68th).
Musetti’s withdrawal opens the door for Portuguese player Jaime Faria (ranked 107th) to take his place in the Rio tournament draw. The event is headlined by Alexander Zverev of Germany, who currently holds the No. 2 ranking in the ATP standings.
Musetti’s Recent Struggles
Musetti’s injury setback comes after a disappointing start to the 2023 season. He fell in the second round of the Australian Open in January, losing to American Marcos Giron in four sets.
The Italian then traveled to South America for the clay court swing, but his campaign was cut short by the Achilles injury. He won his first-round match in Buenos Aires but was forced to retire in the quarterfinals.
Impact on Rio Open
Musetti’s withdrawal is a significant blow to the Rio Open, which is one of the most prestigious tournaments on the ATP calendar. The Italian is a popular player with fans around the world, and his absence will be felt.
Faria will now take Musetti’s place in the draw, but the Portuguese player faces a tough task in his first-round match. He will play either Joao Souza of Brazil or Roberto Carballes Baena of Spain.
Zverev Remains the Favorite
Despite Musetti’s withdrawal, Zverev remains the clear favorite to win the Rio Open. The German has won two ATP tournaments this year and is in top form. He will be looking to add to his impressive record in Rio, where he has reached the final twice before.
Other players to watch in Rio include Dominic Thiem of Austria, Carlos Alcaraz of Spain, and Cameron Norrie of Great Britain.
Conclusion
Lorenzo Musetti’s injury is a setback for the Italian player and the Rio Open tournament. However, the event still features a strong field of players, and Zverev remains the man to beat.
