ITF

I am always proud to deliver on behalf of my nation and make history for Italy but, as I have said, the Olympics is completely different and the desire to win for your nation in that setting is huge. I certainly felt that. Unfortunately, I was unable to get the result I would have liked in singles and lost to John Millman of Australia 6-3 6-4 in the first round, so not the best outcome, but it was my first time competing at a Games. I did taste what it was like to win a match at the Olympics, however, as Lorenzo Sonego and I defeated Spain's Pablo Andujar and Roberto Carballes Baena in the first round of the men's doubles. We went on to lose to eventual champions Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic of Croatia, who were the top seeds for the event, in the second round, but to get an Olympic victory under my belt was fantastic. What the whole experience did do, however, was make me really hungry for more and I already have my eyes set on Paris 2024. I intend to work as hard as possible to Tokyo was a dream. Ever since I was a child, I had visions of competing at the Olympic Games and this summer, at Tokyo 2020, I fulfilled that ambition. It was my first time at the Olympics and it was so exciting. As most players say, the Olympics is completely different to Grand Slams and other tournaments as you really feel a responsibility for your country on your shoulders. I am, of course, always representing Italy and I remember when I won the boys' title at the Australian Open in 2019, I was very proud to become the first Italian to claim a Junior Grand Slam in Melbourne. There have been other instances. I remember the statistic that I was the first Italian teenager in more than 30 years to reach the round of 16 at the ATP tournament in Rome when I did so in September last year. Italy's Lorenzo Musetti is still only 19 years of age, but he is within range of the world's top 50 after a hugely promising transition to the professional ranks following a successful junior career. In June, Musetti reached the round of 16 at Roland Garros and led world No. 1 Novak Djokovic 2-0 after playing some spellbinding tennis, only to be forced to retire in the deciding fifth set. The teenager secured two ITF World Tennis Tour titles in 2019 before last year topping the podium at the ATP Challenger event at Forli after defeating Brazil's Thiago Monteiro in the final. As a junior, Musetti claimed victory at the Australian Open Junior Championships in 2019, while a year earlier he featured at the Junior Davis Cup by BNP Paribas Finals, the ITF World Tennis Tour Junior Finals in Chengdu and the Youth Olympic Games. In July, Musetti made his Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020. ensure I get there and do well. Another aspect of the Olympics, which I know many other tennis players talk about, but I was able to experience for myself, was the team environment and everything which goes with that. There has been much talk about the quality of Italian tennis at the present time and to be in Japan with Fabio Fognini and Lorenzo was great for me, and a lot of fun also. We laughed a lot and were like family. Also, it was really fascinating to be in the Olympic Village, with everyone staying within their own country's building. Having the opportunity to see and talk to other athletes was incredible. Tokyo was just an amazing experience and I had a great time. Like I say, the results may not have been what I was hoping for, but I now have ambitions to do well and show my true colours next time around. There is plenty of tennis to be played between now and then but Paris in three years' time is certainly on my radar. In truth, I can't wait. n Muse is already thinking of Paris 2024 28 Tokyo 2020 ITF World

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