Italian tennis player Lorenzo Musetti has been forced to withdraw from the ATP 500 tournament in Tokyo after suffering a fracture in the ring finger of his right hand during a practice session in the Japanese capital. The latest setback extends a difficult 2026 season heavily disrupted by physical ailments, marking his fourth major physical issue of the year following previous problems in Australia, Miami, and Rome.
A Season Marred by Physical Setbacks
The 2026 season has continually interrupted Musetti’s momentum on the ATP Tour. His physical troubles began in earnest at the Australian Open during a quarterfinal match against Novak Djokovic. Musetti had built a two-set lead, winning 6-4, 6-3, before experiencing pain in the upper right leg. After receiving medical treatment, he retired trailing 1-3 in the third set. Subsequent medical examinations confirmed a psoas muscle injury that sidelined him for more than five weeks and forced him to miss subsequent tournaments, including Acapulco, before returning at Indian Wells.
Early Returns and Further Complications in Miami and Rome
Musetti’s return to competition at Indian Wells proved short-lived following an opening loss to Marton Fucsovics. Shortly after, discomfort in his right arm prompted his withdrawal from the Miami Open. Although a precise diagnosis for the arm issue was not publicly detailed, the Italian competitor noted that he required additional recovery time to regain full fitness. A third major interruption occurred during the clay-court swing in Rome. Playing through physical discomfort, Musetti fell in the round of 16 against Casper Ruud. Medical evaluations later revealed a rectus femoris injury requiring extended rest, causing him to miss Hamburg, the French Open, and Wimbledon. That absence stretched across two and a half months, halting a run that had seen him reach the Roland Garros semifinals the previous season.
Training Injury Derails Tokyo Campaign
Instead, a hand injury sustained on the practice courts resulted in a fractured right ring finger. The diagnosis forced his withdrawal ahead of a scheduled opening match against Arthur Fery. Tournament officials and medical staff have not yet announced a definitive recovery timeline, though the nature of a bone fracture places his availability for upcoming fixtures in doubt.
Previous Physical Hurdles Carry Over From 2025
The pattern of late-stage physical interruptions is not entirely new for the competitor. During the 2025 campaign, Musetti was forced to withdraw from several high-profile matches, including a semifinal appearance in Buenos Aires due to a calf issue, a French Open semifinal retirement against Carlos Alcaraz because of a left leg injury, and an exit in Beijing against Learner Tien, alongside physical strains during a run to the Monte Carlo final.
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