A physically demanding contest ends prematurely in Melbourne
Novak Djokovic booked his place in the semifinals of the Australian Open after Lorenzo Musetti was forced to retire from their quarterfinal encounter, bringing an abrupt end to a match that had already taken a heavy physical toll on both players.
Despite the straight-sets progression on paper, the contest told a far more complex story, shaped by momentum swings, physical concerns and tactical battles.
Musetti takes control after early setback
Djokovic, the 15-years-older player, began the match strongly, breaking serve early in the opening set to take a 2–0 lead. Musetti responded immediately with a rebreak and raised his level, finding rhythm and confidence as the set progressed.
From that point onward, Djokovic’s movement appeared noticeably reduced compared to his previous matches. Musetti capitalized on this, securing another break and closing out the opening set, establishing control over the early stages of the match.
Italian dominance continues in the second set
The second set followed a similar pattern. Musetti struck first with a break of serve, Djokovic responded, but the Italian maintained his composure and intensity. Two further breaks allowed Musetti to pull clear, pushing the match into a two-sets-to-love advantage.
Throughout this phase, Musetti’s defensive skills stood out. His use of slice—particularly on the backhand side—repeatedly disrupted Djokovic’s rhythm and forced the Serbian into uncomfortable positions on court.
Medical timeout precedes sudden conclusion
Djokovic opened the third set with an early break, and shortly afterward Musetti requested a medical timeout, with the severity of the issue immediately apparent.
Djokovic held serve to consolidate the break and continued to apply pressure. At 3–1, with Djokovic leading and holding two break points at 15–40, Musetti approached the net and announced his retirement, ending the match.
With limited play required to secure the result, Djokovic advanced to the semifinals, though questions remain regarding his own physical condition. His movement throughout the match appeared significantly restricted compared to earlier rounds, suggesting that he too was managing discomfort.
A familiar outcome between the two players
This marked the second time Musetti has been forced to retire against Djokovic. Their previous encounter came in the fourth round of the 2021 French Open, where Musetti led by two sets before Djokovic surged back. After Djokovic dominated the third and fourth sets, Musetti retired in the fifth following a lengthy battle.
Once again, Musetti’s performance demonstrated his tactical intelligence and defensive quality, while Djokovic’s experience and resilience ultimately carried him through under challenging circumstances.
For Djokovic’s post-match reaction and thoughts on Musetti’s retirement, read his full press conference interview.
For Musetti’s explanation of his injury and the decision to retire, read his full post-match press conference interview.
For broader context on the pressure and significance of this stage of the tournament, read our full Australian Open 2026: Day 11 Preview.
By globalite – https://www.flickr.com/photos/globalite/5400763093/, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14035146
By si.robi – Musetti MCM23 (11), CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=132685302