"I never faced a Novak Djokovic like this... He deserved to win" - Lorenzo Musetti impressed by Serb's "joke" of a return game in Wimbledon SF

Lorenzo Musetti has showered Novak Djokovic with high praise after their semifinal clash at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships. Musetti was left in awe of Djokovic's prowess on grass, especially the World No. 2's remarkable returning skills.

Competing in his maiden Grand Slam semifinal, Musetti came up against the 24-time Major champion at his clinical best. The Serb delivered an impressive performance to claim a 6-4, 7-6(2), 6-4 victory over the Italian, moving just one win away from equaling Roger Federer's record of eight Wimbledon titles.

Despite entering the clash with only one victory in his six previous encounters against the World No. 2, Lorenzo Musetti admitted that he had never faced Novak Djokovic playing at such a high level before.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Musetti lauded the 24-time Grand Slam champion's exceptional prowess on grass, highlighting his resilience in the crucial moments of the match.

Djokovic, who is widely regarded as the best returner in tennis history, particularly impressed Musetti with his return game, with the Italian even describing it as a "joke" due to the Serb's remarkable execution.

"As I was saying to his team in the locker, I think this was the seventh time that we were playing each other. I never faced a Nole like this. Today I was really impressed. Probably it was our first meeting on grass so I never face him on grass but I think his tennis really fit very well on this surface," Musetti said.

"Especially how he returns, it’s like kind of a joke. Today was really a joke at the end how he was returning. Of course also in the important points, he was playing really well. Especially in the second set at the end I had chances to break him but he was serving really well. He deserved to win," he added.

"I feel sad, but Novak Djokovic played a really incredible match" - Lorenzo Musetti after Wimbledon SF loss

Lorenzo Musetti (Source: Getty)

Despite his sadness over his loss in the Wimbledon semifinal, Lorenzo Musetti commended Novak Djokovic for playing an "incredible" match. The Italian also disclosed that the World No. 2 appeared to be in great shape physically, regardless of any lingering concerns about the state of his knee.

"I feel, of course, a little bit sad about the match today, how it went. But I have to say, Nole played a really incredible match. He showed that he is in really good shape, not only in tennis but physically," Musetti said in the same press conference.

Following his commanding win over Musetti, Djokovic will square off against defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a highly anticipated rematch of the 2023 Wimbledon final.

Alcaraz triumphed over the Serb in spectacular fashion last year, securing a hard-fought 1-6, 7-6(6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 win to clinch his maiden title at the grasscourt Major. However, the 23-time Grand Slam champion still enjoys a 3-2 lead in their head-to-head record, emerging victorious in their two most recent encounters.