The lead evaporated faster than Musetti’s right leg could hold up.
Lorenzo Musetti carried a two-set lead over Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open quarter-final before a right leg injury forced him to retire, turning a potential career-defining victory into an abrupt and painful exit at Rod Laver Arena.
Musetti’s Cruel Turn
The No. 5 in the PIF ATP Rankings, Musetti produced a sublime performance for the best part of two hours on Wednesday, taking the fight to Djokovic and showing the variety and flair that has marked his breakout season before the injury ended his momentum.
“I felt it at the beginning of the second set,” said Musetti, admitting the discomfort started early and that he kept pushing because his tennis was flowing, but also acknowledging the pain steadily increased until movement and power were compromised.
Struggling to move freely, Musetti retired when trailing 1-3 in the third set after taking a medical timeout; the brief break only intensified the pain and made any realistic hope of finishing the contest disappear, forcing a heartbreaking concession.
“It was a little bit too high, so it was impossible to tape it,” said the two-time ATP Tour champion, explaining that attempts to stabilise the area were impractical and that, based on how his body felt, he feared a tear rather than a minor strain.
What Djokovic Said
“I don’t know what to say except for I feel sorry for him,” Djokovic told the crowd. “He was the far better player, I was on my way home tonight. These kind of things happen in sport… I wish him a speedy recovery, and he should’ve been the winner today no doubt.”
Novak Djokovic
Djokovic admitted the result did not feel fully earned and paid Musetti immediate praise after the match, while the victory moved the Serbian into his 13th Australian Open semifinal and preserved his place as a 24-time Grand Slam champion.
The win in Melbourne also marked Djokovic’s 103rd match victory at the tournament, a tally that passed Roger Federer for the most all-time, and he now turns his attention to a testing semi-final with Jannik Sinner where sharper, cleaner tennis will be required.
The Fallout And Outlook
For Musetti the timing was particularly cruel: the 23-year-old two-time ATP Tour champion was contesting his maiden Australian Open quarter-final and sat on the brink of what would have been just his second triumph in 11 Lexus ATP Head2Head meetings overall against Djokovic.
On-court scenes were heavy with sympathy as Djokovic offered praise in his interview and the ATP and fans sent messages of support across social channels, a reminder that the second week at a Slam can flip from joy to heartbreak in an instant.
“Definitely, yes,” Musetti said when asked if this was the toughest injury-related situation of his career, and he added that he never imagined leading two sets to zero against Novak and then having to stop, calling the moment genuinely painful and surreal.
Musetti now faces scans and specialist assessment to determine the extent of the damage, with recovery and rehabilitation immediately taking priority over points or headlines, while Djokovic advances but knows luck played a decisive role in how the match ended.
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Christoph Friedrich is a German tennis player and coach currently residing in Oakland, California. He began his tennis journey at the age of eight and has since dedicated his life to the sport. After working as a tennis coach and hitting partner in New York City for eight years, Christoph decided to share his knowledge and experience with tennis players around the world by creating the My Tennis Expert blog. His goal is to make tennis education accessible to everyone and help players select the best equipment for their game, from racquets and strings to shoes and overgrips. Christoph's extensive research and expertise in tennis technology make him a valuable resource for players of all levels.
