Australian Open
Musetti injury saves Djokovic in Melbourne
Updated on 01/28/2026 – 09:24 amReading time: 2 min.
Novak Djokovic is on the verge of elimination in Melbourne. Then his opponent suddenly has to give up due to an injury.
Record Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic was probably only spared a quarter-final exit at the Australian Open because his opponent was injured. The 38-year-old Serb was 0-2 sets behind against Lorenzo Musetti when the Italian, who had been playing brilliantly up to that point, had to give up from his point of view, apparently due to adductor problems, at a score of 6:4, 6:3, 1:3. Up to this point, Musetti had shown off the ten-time Melbourne champion at times.
“I don’t even know what to say. He was clearly the better player, I was basically on the way home,” said Djokovic after the sudden end of the game in the Rod Laver Arena. “When you are 2-0 up in a quarter-final and have the match completely under control, then it is extremely bitter to have to give up injured,” said the long-time number one. “He should have been the winner today, without a doubt.”
Musetti was deeply disappointed after the bitter end. “I have no words to say how difficult it is for me,” said the world number five from Italy. “It’s definitely my toughest task considering how well I played and looking at the score.”
Djokovic, who had already reached the quarterfinals without a fight due to an injury to the Czech Jakub Mensik, will face either defending champion Jannik Sinner from Italy or the American Ben Shelton in the semifinals on Friday. The game takes place today at 9.30 a.m. CET (Eurosport). In the other semi-final, Alexander Zverev will face world number one Carlos Alcaraz from Spain on Friday.
