Coach Tips Musetti for Top Three Push in 2026
Expectations around Lorenzo Musetti are growing after his coach Renzo Furlan openly backed the Italian to climb as high as world No.3 in 2026.
Musetti broke into the ATP top 10 for the first time last season and finished the year ranked eighth after reaching the semifinals of the French Open and the quarterfinals of the US Open. Those results marked the most consistent stretch of his career so far.
Speaking to Italian newspaper Nord Est, Furlan said Musetti’s progress has been steady and believes his level, especially on clay, puts him in the same conversation as the very best.
“On clay, Lorenzo has only lost to Alcaraz and Draper,” Furlan said.
“His 2025 season was excellent, and in 2026 he can aspire to be world number 3 because, paradoxically, he plays better than Sinner and Alcaraz.
The quality and potential are there, but winning a Grand Slam depends on many circumstances.”
While Furlan praised Musetti’s development, he acknowledged how difficult it remains to break through at the very top, particularly with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz setting the pace on the tour.
Furlan was less confident when discussing Novak Djokovic and his chances of winning a record 25th Grand Slam in 2026. He suggested the Serbian would need unexpected help from the draw.
“He can do it, but something strange has to happen: Alcaraz has to have a bad day in the early rounds, or Sinner has to suffer a physical problem like in Shanghai. Of course, if he runs into both of them in the semifinals or the final, even he knows it’s almost impossible.”
Looking ahead, Furlan believes Sinner’s main target will be clay, with Roland Garros firmly in his sights.
“I’m sure we’ll see him fighting tooth and nail at Roland Garros, because it’s the only Grand Slam he’s missing,” he said.
“But he’ll try to give his best everywhere. Winning Rome could also be a goal.”
For Musetti, the message from his coach is clear: the level is there. The next step is turning promise into position among the game’s elite.
