Novak Djokovic narrowly avoided being booted out of the Australian Open in unfortunate circumstances after his rival was forced to retire when having a stronghold in the match.
The 10-time champion looked to be on the verge of getting knocked out of the draw by an inspired Lorenzo Musetti, who was leading 6-4, 6-3, 1-3. During the first two sets, Musetti was on top form as he tamed the former world No.1 on court with the help of 25 winners. Djokovic was on the ropes and at the end of the second set received a medical timeout for blister treatment. Although to his credit, the Serbian still showed great sportsmanship at 3-5 in the second frame when conceding a point for touching the ball as it passed him. If he stayed silent, he would have had a 40-15 lead but ended up being broken.
Heading into the third set, proceedings took a shocking and devastating turn for Musetti. The Italian requested a medical timeout for treatment on his leg, and from this moment, his mobility was heavily impacted. Leaving him with no choice but to retire when he was on the verge of a place in a Grand Slam semi-final.
“I don’t know what to say except that I feel really sorry for him. He was a far better player. I was on my way home tonight,” Djokovic said during his on-court interview.
“These kinds of things happen in sport. It happened to me a few times.
“I really wish him a speedy recovery. He should have been a winner, no doubt.”
It is the second round in a row that Djokovic has won due to unfortunate circumstances. His fourth round clash with Jakub Mensik never took place after the Czech was forced to withdraw from the event due to an oblique injury.
As for his actual performance on the court, Djokovic is unsure if having an extra day off due to Mensik’s withdrawal helped or hindered him.
“I have no idea at this stage of my career what really serves me and what doesn’t.” He said. “I had a walkover in the fourth round and today I should have been beaten.
“I’m going to double my prayers tonight for sure. Gratitude to God for really giving me this opportunity once again.”
For Musetti, it is the second year in a row that a Grand Slam match has ended in heartbreak. Last year at the French Open, he won the opening set against Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals before having to retire early in the fourth due to injury. He was bidding to reach the last four of a major hardcourt tournament for the first time.
Djokovic’s focus now turns to his upcoming semi-final against either Jannik Sinner or Ben Shelton.
“I’m definitely not happy with my performance but it’s another day in the office and hopefully in a couple of days’ time I can come out and be at my best because that’s what’s going to be needed,” he said.
Djokovic is the oldest man to reach an Australian Open semi-final since Ken Rosewall in 1977.
