The Serbian tennis player was completely outplayed in the first two sets against the inspired Lorenzo Musetti, before the Italian, due to injury, was forced to give up the match even though he was leading 6:4, 6:3, 1:3.
Musetti was on his way to one of the biggest wins of his career. He dominated from the baseline and had complete control of the match before he had to retire.
“I don’t know what to say, except that I sincerely feel sorry for him. He was a much better player, I was already on my way home tonight,” Djokovic said.
“Things like this happen in sports. It’s happened to me a few times, but to be in the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam, to be 2-0 up in sets and to be in complete control… it’s really unfortunate. He should have won today, without a doubt.”
A heartfelt Novak Djokovic after opponent Lorenzo Musetti was forced to retire while leading two sets to love@wwos • @espn • @tntsports • @wowowtennis • #AO26 pic.twitter.com/MaIFyBJnAf
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 28, 2026
Although Djokovic had a dominant 9:1 score against Musetti before this match, their duels were often dramatic. The most famous is the one from Roland Garros in 2024, finished at 3 a.m., when Djokovic won in five grueling sets. Precisely because of Musetti’s exceptional defense and physical fitness, Djokovic tried to shorten the points, often going to the net and using serve-volley tactics.
However, it did not bring him success. Musetti, one of the fastest players on Tour, breezed past Djokovic at the net, served superbly and excelled with his forehand, quickly building a two-set lead.
After losing two sets, Djokovic requested a medical timeout due to blisters, and his right foot was heavily bandaged. He was visibly in pain, stretching his body between points early in the third set.
However, soon medical help was requested for Musetti. With the score 1:1 on his serve, the Italian suddenly began to have problems with movement, and then completely stopped moving at one break point. He requested a medical timeout due to a right upper leg injury. It was clear that he could not continue the match at a competitive level and decided to give up at 1:3 in the third set.
A win over Djokovic would be one of the biggest in Musetti’s career — his first Grand Slam semi-final on hard court, after semi-finals at Wimbledon and Roland Garros. Also, as the third seed of the tournament, he had the opportunity to reach the best ranking in his career. Instead, one of the potentially greatest days of his career turned into one of the toughest.
The tournament was already a happy one for Djokovic, who went through without a fight in the fourth round after the withdrawal of 16th seed Jakub Menšik, who defeated him in the Miami Open final last year.
“I will double my prayers tonight and thank God for giving me another chance”concluded Djokovic.
(Vijesti.ba)
