Serbian discusses Musetti’s injury, his own condition, and the physical toll of Grand Slam tennis
Novak Djokovic spoke candidly after reaching the Australian Open semifinals, acknowledging he did not perform at his highest level and explaining what he learned about Lorenzo Musetti’s physical struggles during the match.
Djokovic said he first noticed Musetti was hampered in the third set, specifically around the moment he broke serve. However, he added that he later spoke with members of Musetti’s team and was told the Italian had been complaining about the issue earlier, at the beginning of the second set—though Djokovic felt it did not significantly affect Musetti’s level at that stage.
“He was the better player on the court”
Reflecting on the match overall, Djokovic credited Musetti’s variety and quality, noting that the Italian had control for long periods and was close to winning before the injury ended the contest. Djokovic also admitted he underperformed compared to the level he had shown earlier in the tournament and stressed he will need to raise his game in the semifinals.
Semifinal challenge: Sinner or Shelton
Looking ahead, Djokovic addressed the possible semifinal opponents and what makes them dangerous. He pointed out that Jannik Sinner has been producing an exceptionally high level, placing him—along with Carlos Alcaraz—among the very best players in the world right now.
Djokovic also referenced his limited history against Ben Shelton, saying they have played only once before, and added that if that matchup happens, he hopes it will be a good contest. Regardless of the opponent, he emphasized that he will need to deliver his “A game” to have a real chance.
Djokovic’s physical update: blister was main concern
Djokovic also provided an update on his own condition. He explained that he took a medical timeout due to a blister that needed to be checked and retaped—something he had dealt with in the previous match as well. He said this was his biggest concern physically and that he did not have any major issues beyond the usual minor day-to-day wear that comes with competing at the highest level.
Why tennis is uniquely brutal on the body
Djokovic used Musetti’s retirement as an example of how demanding tennis can be compared to team sports. He explained that, unlike in team settings where a player can be substituted and return later, tennis offers no such safety net: if something goes wrong physically, you must deal with it alone on court.
He also described how the final stages of a Grand Slam amplify the physical and emotional strain. Under pressure, players tighten up and movement becomes less fluid, raising the risk of injury—an experience Djokovic said he knows well after dealing with similar issues at Slams last year.
More retirements this tournament: schedule, offseason load, and “shock” to the body
Asked about the number of retirements and walkovers during the tournament, Djokovic said there has been plenty of discussion about the schedule. He noted that, on one hand, it is the beginning of the season and many players arrive after rest and training.
On the other hand, Djokovic explained that the offseason is the only period when players can truly push themselves physically and mentally while trying to improve their games—effort that can add strain before the season even begins. He also mentioned that returning to official match intensity after weeks without competition can “shock” the body in a way that practice tennis does not, contributing to injury issues.
Djokovic added that while he did not have major problems in Australia earlier in his career, he has dealt with physical issues in the last five or six years, suggesting age may be one of several factors.
Cameras behind the scenes: “There should always be a limit”
Djokovic was also asked about the continuing use of cameras in behind-the-scenes tournament areas. He said he empathizes with players who feel frustrated that private moments—especially emotional reactions after a match—can be captured and broadcast.
While acknowledging that modern sport is driven heavily by content demand, Djokovic said he is against pushing that trend too far and believes there should be clear boundaries where players have genuine privacy. At the same time, he admitted it is difficult to imagine the broader trend reversing, as tournaments and broadcasters continue to expand access.
“I’m not chasing — I’m creating my own history”
Finally, Djokovic responded firmly to a question comparing earlier stages of his career—when he was “chasing” Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal—to the current era with younger stars. He rejected the framing, stressing that there was a long period in between where he dominated the Grand Slams.
Djokovic reiterated his respect for the new generation, including Sinner and Alcaraz, and said their rivalries and contrasting styles are good for tennis. But he also made clear that he does not view himself as waving a white flag: he intends to keep competing, fighting for major titles, and challenging the best players as long as he is on tour.
For full match context, read our Novak Djokovic vs Lorenzo Musetti match analysis.