'I told him to retire' - Lorenzo Musetti's coach reveals the Italian's Monte Carlo final injury

Musetti looked in fine form in the first set, claiming it 6-3 against an impatient Spaniard.

However, in the second set - especially with Alcaraz's form on the rise - the 2024 Wimbledon semi-finalist's movement seemed somewhat hindered, losing it 6-1.

By the third set, the issues were far more pronounced, and Alcaraz capped off the final with a 6-0 in the third victory.

Musetti's coach Simone Tartarini, who has been working in that role since the Italian was eight, revealed the details of the discomfort to Ubitennis.

"This morning, during the warm-up, Lorenzo had a problem with his quadriceps," explained Tartarini.

"We took all the necessary precautions, but, during the match, he felt more and more pain.

"He was already in pain after the first set, then - after playing on top of it at a certain point - he was in a lot of pain. But obviously, he didn't want to retire since it was a final: he stayed on the court for the sake of it because the final must be played."

Whilst it was clear that the Italian was in discomfort in the second half of the match, Musetti seemed determined to finish the match - opposing the advice given to him by his team.

"Halfway through the second set I told him to retire, he was in a lot of pain," stated the future world No 11's coach.

"I was thinking about the future, there was a risk of getting hurt, but he said he wanted to finish the match. I think the crowd understood, but he wanted to finish.

"We will do the tests, it could be a small strain. Now we will do all the necessary medical things because in the heat of the moment you can't even do ultrasounds. Maybe a little edema, so a little bit of a stop is definitely needed."

In his interview after the match, Musetti reiterated a similar sentiment of duty to the final.

"I'm really disappointed that I could not finish the match in the best way, for the crowd, for all of the support I received this week, but you deserve it," the Italian said.

"I will try to come back for the revenge."

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