The situation is simple for Lorenzo Musetti: if the Italian wins the Hellenic Championship from Vanda Pharmaceuticals, he will qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals.
While Musetti is pleased with his season so far, the ninth-seeded player in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin is keen to claim the ATP 250 trophy, pass eighth-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime and earn his place in Turin.
“It’s been a great season so far. When I look back on all the achievements and goals we’ve achieved this year, this is the biggest season of my career so far,” Musetti told ATPTour.com. “And of course there’s one more goal I’m talking about. We’ll see after this week what happens, but I’m also here for it and to try to take the spot.”
Musetti has not been shy about his goal of qualifying for the Nitto ATP Finals for the first time. On the one hand, he really wants to reach the end-of-year championships. But Athens’ second seed knows he must balance his desire to qualify with thinking too much about the odds.
“It is something that is not easy. I try not to think too much about the calculations, but I know I have to win the tournament to be guaranteed in Turin,” Musetti said. “The goal is always to win the tournament, so the goal doesn’t change much.
“Of course it will be a tough week because there are plenty of players who are very strong on this surface. I will try to take one match at a time and think about it like any other tournament.”
That said, Musetti said he is “excited” for the week, which will start against Stan Wawrinka or Botic van de Zandschulp.
“It’s now also a mental game and a physical game. Things didn’t really go well in Paris,” said Musetti, who lost his opening match at the Rolex Paris Masters to Lorenzo Sonego. “I’ve had a few days to rest, recharge the batteries a bit and hopefully things will get better here.”
Musetti has been to Greece before and played a junior event here. But this is his first trip to Athens and he hopes it will be an unforgettable one.
“I played in the arena this morning and tried it. It’s really cool, really big for a 250. I really like it and hopefully it will be really busy,” Musetti said. “It is a nice city with many historical places, which I would like to visit if I have the chance.
“It’s also a great opportunity for us to have a last week [with points counting towards the Race]. It will be the last year [this week] counts towards the Race, because from next year the Paris Masters will be the final event for the Race. Let’s keep that in mind this week.”
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