Djokovic Reaches Australian Open Semis After Musetti Injury Drama

Novak Djokovic’s pursuit of a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title at the 2026 Australian Open took another dramatic turn on Wednesday, as the Serbian legend advanced to the semi-finals under extraordinary circumstances. Facing Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti in his 1,400th tour-level match—a milestone reached by only two other men in history—Djokovic found himself two sets down and struggling with a foot injury before Musetti was forced to retire with a right leg issue.

The afternoon showdown at Melbourne Park was expected to be a test of Djokovic’s resilience and experience, but it quickly became a tale of missed opportunities, physical setbacks, and a touch of fortune. Musetti, just 23 years old and playing some of the best tennis of his life, raced into a 6-4, 6-3 lead. The Italian’s variety and confident shot-making had Djokovic, the ten-time Australian Open champion, on the ropes and contemplating a premature exit from the tournament.

But tennis, as Djokovic knows all too well, is a game of endurance as much as skill. Early in the third set, Musetti began to show visible discomfort, clutching at his upper right leg. The pain intensified rapidly, robbing him of his movement and forcing a medical timeout. Despite his valiant efforts to continue, Musetti’s body simply wouldn’t cooperate. Trailing 3-1, he approached the net, removed his headband, and offered Djokovic a handshake and a brief embrace—a heartbreaking end to what could have been a career-defining victory.

“I honestly have no words to describe how I’m feeling right now and how tough it is for me with this injury in this moment,” Musetti said in his post-match interview. “I felt there was something strange in my right leg. I continued to play because I was playing really, really, really well, but I was feeling that the pain was increasing and the problem was not going away.”

Djokovic, ever the sportsman, was quick to acknowledge his opponent’s misfortune. “It happened to me a few times. But being in the quarters of a Grand Slam, two sets to love up and being in full control — I mean, so unfortunate,” he said. “He should have been a winner today. I feel really sorry for him. He was a far better player — I was on my way home tonight.”

This emotional quarter-final wasn’t just another victory for Djokovic; it marked his 103rd win at Melbourne Park, pushing him past Roger Federer’s previous all-time record. It also cemented his place among the legends of the sport, as he became only the third man to play 1,400 tour-level matches, joining the exclusive company of Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer. Djokovic’s career record now stands at a remarkable 1167 wins and 233 losses, giving him an 83.4% winning percentage—the highest among all ATP No. 1 Club members.

Yet, Djokovic’s path to the semi-finals has been anything but straightforward. Just days earlier, he benefited from a walkover in the fourth round when Jakub Mensik withdrew due to injury. “I’m extremely lucky,” Djokovic admitted. “I just wasn’t feeling the ball today due to his quality and his variety in the game. A blister here and there. I tried my best, yes.”

The next challenge awaiting Djokovic is perhaps his toughest yet: a semi-final clash with defending champion Jannik Sinner. The Italian star, seeded No. 2, has been in scintillating form, dispatching Ben Shelton in straight sets (6-3, 6-4, 6-4) to extend his Melbourne Park winning streak to 19 matches. Sinner’s dominance isn’t limited to this tournament; he has now beaten Djokovic in their last five meetings, including semi-finals at the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon in 2024.

“He is the absolute favourite, but you never know,” Djokovic said, looking ahead to Friday’s blockbuster. “Hopefully I can deliver my A-game for that matchup, because that's what's going to be needed at least to have a chance. I wasn't playing close to my best today, so I'm going to have to change that around.”

Sinner, for his part, is relishing the opportunity to face Djokovic once more. “These are moments you practice for, why you wake up in the morning, and you just look forward to play hopefully a good match,” Sinner remarked. “If you want to win you have to play at your best, so I'm looking forward to it, but also in the past I had great lessons [against Djokovic]. It doesn't really matter the result—it improves you as a player and as a person. We are still lucky to have Novak here, playing incredible tennis with his age.”

This year’s Australian Open men’s draw has lived up to its billing, with the top four seeds—Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Jannik Sinner, and Novak Djokovic—all reaching the semi-finals. The other semi-final will see world No. 1 Alcaraz face No. 3 Zverev, setting the stage for a possible generational showdown in the final.

Beyond the on-court drama, Djokovic has also weighed in on the ongoing debate about privacy and surveillance at the Australian Open. Echoing concerns raised by Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff, Djokovic said he is “against” the constant monitoring of players behind the scenes. “While I am against the invasion of the players’ space, I cannot see how the tournaments go ‘backwards’ to limit what fans and broadcasters have access to,” he explained, showing empathy for fellow competitors but acknowledging the realities of the modern sports landscape.

As the tournament barrels toward its climax, Djokovic’s quest for history remains alive—if only just. He’s survived a walkover, battled through injury, and benefited from a slice of luck. Now, standing between him and another Australian Open final is the formidable Jannik Sinner, who has proven to be Djokovic’s kryptonite in recent encounters. Will experience and determination triumph over youth and momentum? Tennis fans around the world will be glued to their screens on Friday to find out.

One thing’s for certain: with legends colliding and new stars rising, the 2026 Australian Open is delivering all the drama, heartache, and hope that makes Grand Slam tennis so irresistible.