**Alexander Zverev’s Dig at Lorenzo Musetti Sparks Controversy After Italian Open Loss**
Alexander Zverev stirred debate with pointed remarks about Lorenzo Musetti following his 7-5, 6-2 quarterfinal loss to the Italian at the Italian Open on May 14, 2025. In a post-match press conference, Zverev commented, “Musetti depends a lot on defense. He depends a lot on the mistakes from other opponents,” as reported by TennisInfinity.com and amplified on X by @gigicat7_. The German’s critique, suggesting Musetti’s game relies on opponents’ errors rather than proactive play, drew sharp reactions from fans and analysts, with many defending Musetti’s versatile and attacking style.
Zverev’s frustration was evident after squandering a 5-3 lead and a 40-0 service game in the first set, allowing Musetti to capitalize with his varied shot-making, including looping backhands and aggressive winners. X posts, like @SmoothManBets, disputed Zverev’s claim, noting both players hit an equal number of winners, undermining the “defensive” label. @brooklynsbeat sarcastically questioned Zverev’s analysis, pointing to his collapse from a winning position, while @silvyghi praised Musetti’s “class and talent” that Zverev “can only dream of.” Musetti, ranked No. 9, reached the semifinals, showcasing his clay court prowess, per @KKM154385289499.
The dig reignited tensions from Zverev’s earlier Italian Open complaints about ball quality, which Musetti countered with, “He does the same,” per TennisWorldUSA. Fans on X, including @charlesarthur, saw Zverev’s remarks as sour grapes, especially given Musetti’s non-patterned, attacking play that flustered him. @TennisInfinity1 reported Zverev faced backlash for his comments, with some, like @mesorryfalse, calling them “not correct” and dismissive of Musetti’s skill.
Musetti’s response was measured, focusing on his game rather than engaging directly, as noted by Tennis Majors. The controversy, amplified by Zverev’s history of contentious remarks, like his Hamburg Open “defending champ” mislabeling, fueled perceptions of arrogance. As Musetti advanced to face Carlos Alcaraz, fans celebrated his flair, with @Tennis_Ita hailing his career-high ranking and semifinal run, proving his game is far more than defensive.
