"I felt like a knife between my stomach and sternum," Musetti reflects on his panic attacks during his career

Currently in the world top 10, Lorenzo Musetti has made enormous progress in all areas. Physically, the Italian is no longer the same as at the start of his career, when problems during matches occurred. The 23-year-old player recently spoke about his panic attacks.

By Adrien Guyot

le 21/11/2025 à 15h40

Musetti

Musetti is one of the most solid players on the tour. A finalist at the Monte-Carlo Masters 1000 and a semi-finalist at Roland-Garros this season among other achievements, the world number 8 continues to improve. As a guest on the "Small Talk" podcast by the Italian football club Juventus Turin, the 23-year-old player discussed the panic attacks he experienced earlier in his career, notably in the semi-finals of the ATP tournament in Florence against Félix Auger-Aliassime in 2022.

"I remember very well that, during my development, I faced panic attacks, moments of tension where I felt like a knife between my stomach and sternum. I turned to my box saying that I couldn't play and breathe.

This happened to me against Auger-Aliassime at the Florence tournament (in 2022, defeat 6-2, 6-3). Fortunately, over the years, I have learned to manage pre-match situations, which are essential for stepping onto the court with a certain mindset. I continue to work on my diaphragm and breathing exercises," Musetti stated.