The tennis season is nearing its end, and players have experienced a year filled with significant wins and personal milestones. As the ATP Tour competes in the Davis Cup, Team Italy is thriving, especially with Jannik Sinner in the mix. Among his teammates, Lorenzo Musetti stands out with the most life-changing developments this season. He became a father in March and has seen been on quite a journey through the season!

While Lorenzo Musetti didn’t clinch any titles this year, he delivered an impressive performance. He reached the final rounds of Challenger tournaments in Cagliari and Turin and made it to the semifinals at both Wimbledon and the Vienna Open. A major highlight was welcoming his son, Ludovico, with partner Veronica Confalonieri. Although he hasn’t shared much about Ludovico on social media yet, he recently posted pictures of his son’s christening on Instagram. When asked about his goals, becoming a “good father” was clearly a priority on his 2024 bingo card!

On November 21st, Tennis.com checked in with Lorenzo to see how fatherhood has been treating him over the past nine months. He admitted, “I was pretty scared of everything, honestly. Especially when he was just a newborn. I was really scared of holding him.” Transitioning from the tight grip of a tennis racquet to holding a delicate newborn must have been nerve-wracking.

However, when the nurse handed Ludovico to him, Lorenzo felt an instinctive connection. He claimed to have held his son “in a natural way,” as if he was always meant to do so. This moment has since given him a fresh perspective on himself as a player. “The birth of my son gave me a lot of responsibility on the Lorenzo player, not just of the figure of the father,” he shared. This new outlook has likely contributed to his rise in the ATP rankings from 23rd in 2023 to 16th in 2024.

Take for example his performance at the French Open. Musetti found his rhythm, defeating Gael Monfils before facing Novak Djokovic in a historic showdown. Just a set away from an upset, Lorenzo Musetti faced off against Djokovic in a thrilling match that lasted four hours. The contest ended at 3:07 a.m., marking the latest finish in tournament history. Although Musetti ultimately lost, his fierce performance showcased his immense talent.

Currently, he is competing in Spain at the Davis Cup, where he will showcase his skills in upcoming matches. He looks forward to reuniting with his family once the tournament concludes, and perhaps Veronica will provide more insights into what kind of father he is!

Lorenzo’s partner on what the young player is like as a father to a newborn son

On July 10th, five months after their son Ludovico was born, Lorenzo Musetti’s partner, Veronica Confalonieri, opened up to Dilei about how the tennis player is adapting to fatherhood. “Lorenzo is very affectionate with Ludovico; he really cares about being a good dad. He even changes diapers,” she shared, highlighting his commitment to his new role. Initially, the news of expecting a baby surprised them both and caused some concern. “At first, the fact that he was expecting a baby was a surprise, and it upset us a bit,” she admitted.

Veronica also expressed her worries about how fatherhood might impact Musetti’s career. “Maybe at the beginning, I was more shocked than he was. I was afraid that it would be a hindrance to his career, that he would feel homesick when he was away at tournaments,” she said. However, those fears seemed unfounded as Musetti has been managing his responsibilities quite well.

As he competes in the Davis Cup, he may bring the heat he’s shown in the last few months. His journey into fatherhood has undoubtedly changed him. What do you think about Lorenzo’s changes since becoming a father? Share your thoughts in the comments below!