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Carlos Alcaraz Shows Respect After Opponent Lorenzo Musetti Retires With Injury

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 16: Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates victory following the Men's Singles Final against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on day fourteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2023 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 16, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Carlos Alcaraz showed tremendous sportsmanship after his opponent, Lorenzo Musetti, was forced to retire with injury in the French Open semifinal.

Musetti, coming off two upsets of top-20 ranked players in the world, took the first set from Alcaraz. Alcaraz won the close second set and the third set 6-0 when Musetti appeared to suffer an injury. After going down 0-2 in the fourth set, Musetti motioned to the player’s box that he was done.

Instead of celebrating his victory, Alcaraz stood on the court and applauded his opponent, while encouraging the crowd to do the same.

“Stay strong Lorenzo! I hope you make a quick recovery,” Alcaraz said on X. “Nobody wants to win like that, but I’m very happy to be back in the final at Roland Garros!”

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Musetti’s injury appeared to be to his thigh. His clear pain disrupted what was one of Musetti’s best tournament performances of his ATP career.

Alcaraz, the second-ranked player in the world, will go on to face the winner of the match between Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic.

Alcaraz is the defending champion of the French Open, and despite a shaky start in the semifinal, he will go on to defend his title.

Tobias Linkin