French Open 2025: Lorenzo Musetti retirement a 'bummer', says John McEnroe as Carlos Alcaraz reaches another final at Roland-Garros

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TNT Sports expert John McEnroe called Lorenzo Musetti's French Open semi-final retirement "a bummer" after the Italian was forced to prematurely offer his hand in defeat to Carlos Alcaraz. The world No. 8 trailed by two sets to one on Court Philippe-Chatrier, and had just been bagelled by the defending champion and second seed when he became plagued by an injury in his upper leg.

'What a bummer!' - Reaction as Musetti forced to retire against Alcaraz in semi-final

Video credit: TNT Sports

TNT Sports expert John McEnroe said that Lorenzo Musetti’s retirement during the French Open semi-final was "a bummer".

The Italian, who had led defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the first set on Court Philippe-Chatrier, offered his hand in the fourth set of the encounter.

By that point, Musetti, the eighth seed, had dropped the second set via a tie-break, and was then bagelled by the world No. 2 in the third.

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Musetti had called the trainer on to receive treatment on what seemed to be his thigh, although no confirmation has been given on what his issue was.

The American expert labelled Musetti’s retirement a "bummer", especially since the Italian was "playing incredibly".

"The best I’ve seen him play," McEnroe said of the world No. 8. "It’s an absolute bummer. He was down 6-5 in the second, breaks back, and had a chance to go up two sets to love, which no-one expected. Then he just goes away.

Highlights: Alcaraz roars into French Open final as Musetti retires injured

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"It shows sports. At one moment, you’re on top of the world, you feel like you’re invincible. The guy was hitting his forehead as big as Alcaraz.

"He was serving unreal. Then to have it all go away, it’s like riches to rags in the space of five minutes. Part of it felt it was emotional; a let-down, somewhat expected. Alcaraz could relax a little. It blows."

In the TNT Sports commentary box earlier, McEnroe, himself a one-time finalist at Roland-Garros, said that Musetti had placed himself within touching distance of the very top table of men’s tennis with his recent performances.

"Let’s go back to when he broke back to 6-6," McEnroe said. "Let’s first give this man a round of applause. Trying to work his way up to those at the top of the game - Alcaraz, [Jannik] Sinner, Novak [Djokovic].

"He’s a world top-tenner. He’s joined that elite group. If those top two don’t win and Djokovic feels his age, who would those people be? He’s one of those five or six. I congratulate him on that. That’s too bad. It wasn’t even the best Alcaraz has played."

Watch heartbreaking moment Musetti retires injured to send Alcaraz into final

Video credit: TNT Sports

Fellow TNT Sports pundit Tim Henman voiced his disappointment at how the match ended, pointing to Musetti’s recent calendar as a potential cause.

"It emphasises how much tennis he’s played in the last six weeks when you reflect on his schedule," Henman said.

"He’s played so well, making the semis of Madrid, Rome, and the final of Monte Carlo. Perhaps the accumulation and his sixth match here, and the physicality required against Alcaraz is obviously enormous.

"He did such a good job in those first two sets and could have been up two sets to love, but as it was, Alcaraz managed to win that tie-break and then the trainer was on court. It doesn’t necessarily have to be one moment where you tear your hamstring, but it can be an accumulation, when you’re moving and sliding, the rallies are so long and the exertion is so great.

"Maybe it was getting worse and worse. It’s unfortunate to end the match in these circumstances because it was a great spectacle. So disappointing for Musetti, when he was getting close to a Grand Slam final."

Alcaraz wished Musetti well in his on-court interview afterwards, and the Spaniard will now prepare to defend his crown one final time on Sunday, when he faces the winner of Sinner and Djokovic.