Djokovic Advances After Musetti Injury Shocks Australian Open

Melbourne Park was abuzz on January 27, 2026, as tennis fans witnessed a quarterfinal at the Australian Open that will be talked about for years—though not for the reasons anyone expected. Novak Djokovic, the 38-year-old Serbian legend with a staggering 10 Australian Open titles to his name, found himself in a battle against Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti, the tournament’s No. 5 seed and a rising star hungry for his first Grand Slam glory. Yet, as so often happens in sports, fate had its own script.

Musetti entered the match with a daunting 1-9 record against Djokovic, his only victory coming at the Monte Carlo Masters in 2023. Despite the odds, the young Italian played inspired tennis, coolly seizing the first two sets 6-4, 6-3. The crowd could sense an upset brewing. Musetti’s one-handed backhand was on fire, and his serve kept Djokovic guessing. For a moment, it looked like the veteran’s reign might be over.

Djokovic, meanwhile, was not at his best. He started strong, breaking Musetti early and racing to a 2-0 lead in the first set, but his momentum fizzled. Uncharacteristic errors crept in, and Musetti pounced. The Serb committed 18 unforced errors to just nine winners in the first set alone, and his frustration was clear as he glanced repeatedly at his box in disbelief. The situation grew even more dire when Djokovic needed a medical timeout after the second set to treat a nasty blister on the ball of his right foot. "Blister here and there, nothing major bothering me, I just wasn't really feeling the ball today," Djokovic later admitted.

All the while, Musetti’s confidence soared. Anchored by his stylish backhand and improved serve, he looked poised to reach his first Australian Open semifinal. But as the third set began, the mood shifted. Musetti, leading 1-3, suddenly called for the trainer and received treatment on his upper right leg. It soon became clear he was in serious trouble. After bravely attempting one more service game, Musetti limped to the net and shook Djokovic’s hand—his tournament over, his hopes dashed by injury.

“I honestly have no words to describe how I'm feeling right now,” Musetti later said, visibly heartbroken. “I felt it at the beginning of the second set. I was feeling that the pain was increasing, and the problem was not getting away.” The Italian, just 23 years old, was helped from the court by his team, leaving fans and commentators alike stunned by the abrupt turn of events.

Djokovic, for his part, was candid in his post-match remarks. “I don't know what to say except for I feel sorry for him,” he told reporters. “He was the far better player, I was on my way home tonight. Don't know what to say, these kind of things happen in sport. It happened to me a few times. You know, being in quarters of a Grand Slam up two sets to love up and being in full control. I mean, so unfortunate. I don't know what else to say. I wish him a speedy recovery and he should've been the winner today no doubt.”

The result? Djokovic advanced to his 13th career Australian Open semifinal and his 54th career Grand Slam semifinal—a testament to his longevity, but this time, luck played a starring role. Social media erupted with opinions. One fan wrote, “How lucky can Djokovic actually be? Might be the luckiest tennis player of all time. Should’ve been out already, Mensik didn’t play (walkover). Was getting cooked by Musetti today before injury saved him again. Now he’s in the semifinals without really playing.” Another observed, “Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good.”

Indeed, fortune has smiled on Djokovic in Melbourne this year. He reached the quarterfinals without dropping a set, then received a walkover in the fourth round when his opponent, Jakub Mensik, withdrew with an abdominal injury. This meant Djokovic entered the Musetti match with extra rest, a rare luxury at this stage of a Grand Slam. Yet, even with fresh legs, he struggled to find his rhythm—until fate intervened.

With this win, Djokovic keeps his bid alive for an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam men’s singles title, which would break the tie with Margaret Court for the most major singles titles in history. However, the path ahead is anything but easy. Djokovic hasn’t hoisted a Grand Slam trophy since the 2023 US Open, and if he falls short in Melbourne, it will mark his longest drought since claiming his first major back in 2008. The stakes couldn’t be higher.

Standing between Djokovic and another final is the winner of the quarterfinal between No. 8 Ben Shelton and the two-time defending Australian Open champion, Jannik Sinner. Sinner, the world No. 2, famously ended Djokovic’s run in the semifinals two years ago and is currently riding a wave of confidence. Should Sinner advance, it would set up a tantalizing rematch—one packed with history and high drama.

Djokovic’s own physical state remains a question mark. He’s battled blisters and admitted to not feeling his best. “I had a walkover in the last round and today should have been beaten. Two sets down and I get the win,” he said, per BBC. “I am going to double my prayers tonight, that’s for sure. Gratitude to God to giving me this opportunity once again. I am going to do my best in a couple of days to use it.”

Meanwhile, Musetti’s exit is a bitter pill for tennis fans. The Italian had played some of the best tennis of his career, and his graceful style had won over neutrals. His ability to dictate play and unsettle Djokovic was on full display until injury struck. As Djokovic himself noted, “He should have been a winner today, no doubt.”

As the dust settles, all eyes now turn to the upcoming semifinal. Will Djokovic capitalize on his good fortune and find his championship form? Or will the next challenger—whether it’s Shelton or Sinner—prove too strong for the aging champion? One thing’s certain: the 2026 Australian Open has already delivered more twists and turns than anyone could have imagined, and the drama is far from over.

With his place in the semifinals secured, Djokovic’s quest for history continues. Tennis fans everywhere will be watching closely to see if luck, skill, or perhaps a bit of both, will carry him to the record books once again.