2026 Australian Open: I was on my way home- Novak Djokovic after scrapping through to semis

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Novak Djokovic’s quest to win a historic 25th Grand Slam title is alive but was on the brink of coming to an end bar an ill-fated injury to Lorenzo Musetti.

The Italian was up by two sets over Djokovic, 6-4, 6-3 before retiring from the game due to what looked like a thigh injury in the quarterfinals played earlier today.


Musetti was in control of the game but after taking a medical timeout, he retired from the game in the third set granting Djokovic the win.

Speaking after the win that sets him up for a semifinal clash with defending champion Jannik Sinner on Friday, January 30, Djokovic noted that he was lucky to get the win.

“He was a far better player – I was on my way home tonight. I don’t know what to say except that I feel really sorry for him.”

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic (L) applauds as Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti (R) walks off the court after retiring from their men’s singles quarter-final match on day eleven of the Australian Open (Photo by WILLIAM WEST / AFP via Getty Images)

“I really wish him a speedy recovery. He should have been a winner today, there’s no doubt” Djokovic said.

Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti (R) receives medical treatment during his men’s singles quarter-final match against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic on day eleven of the Australian Open (Photo by WILLIAM WEST / AFP via Getty Images)

This is the second time in the tournament Djokovic has won a game that is injury related; in the fourth round, Jakub Mensik withdrew from his game against Djokovic.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a backhand in the Men’s Singles Quarterfinal against Lorenzo Musetti of Italy during day 11 of the 2026 Australian Open (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Lorenzo Musetti of Italy reacts after retiring from the Men’s Singles Quarterfinal against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during day 11 of the 2026 Australian Open (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)