Lorenzo Musetti has shared his want to face Rafael Nadal after upsetting Novak Djokovic in Monte Carlo final month. The Italian star admitted that he hoped to get the prospect to fulfill the Spaniard on the match courtroom after lacking out on the prospect to play Roger Federer earlier than the 41-year-old retired. But Musetti was nonetheless frightened a couple of potential Nadal match on the clay.

Musetti earned the largest win of his profession ultimately month’s Monte Carlo Masters, coming from a set and a break down to upset world No 1 Djokovic in the round-of-16. And the world No 18 is now setting his sights on a conflict with one other one of many sport’s greats, Nadal.

The 21-year-old advised Clay that his want had been to face Federer however he was unable to earlier than the Swiss star retired final September, solely taking part in him in a apply session. Asked if he might think about dealing with Nadal after beating Djokovic, Musetti mentioned: “Yes, yes, yes, surely.

“My dream was to play against Federer, but he withdrew. I played with him in practice, but it's not the same thing as trying out and getting on the court against a legend like that.” 

Musetti is now hoping he can get a shot at competing in opposition to Nadal after being left regretting by no means taking part in Federer. But the 21-year-old admitted that he nonetheless feared taking part in the person dubbed the ‘King of Clay’ on his favorite floor.

“I think it will be the same with Nadal,” he added. “I hope I don't play with him on clay, because it will be difficult, but they are games that you will never forget.” And one match the Italian positively gained’t overlook is his victory over Djokovic, which got here of their fourth profession assembly.

The world No 18 beforehand had an opportunity to beat the Serb on the 2021 French Open, taking the primary two units earlier than dropping 16 of the subsequent 17 video games and retiring with Djokovic main 6-7(7) 6-7(2) 6-1 6-0 4-0. It was Musetti’s flip to come back again in Monte Carlo, as he went a set and 2-4 down earlier than successful 4-6 7-5 6-4.

“At the end I'm happy with the win, and I didn't focus too much on him,” he said after the match, during which Djokovic was scuffling with an elbow damage that has since seen him pull out of the Madrid Open. Musetti added: “I just had to think of what I had to do to beat him. Even if he plays bad, he's still the No 1 in the world, so you can never count him out and you have to kill him like 10 times.”