Lorenzo Musetti retires suddenly while beating Novak Djokovic at Australian Open

Lorenzo Musetti has retired from his Australian Open quarter-final while leading Novak Djokovic by two sets to love. The No. 5 seed won the first two sets 6-4 6-3 when Djokovic called the trainer and had a medical time out for some blisters on his foot.

But Musetti suddenly looked out of sorts at the beginning of set three and was broken. It was his turn to call the physio, receiving a medical timeout of his own during the first changeover of the set, for what appeared to be an issue in the groin or adductor area.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

The 23-year-old attempted to play on but could barely move and couldn’t push off while serving. He ultimately retired at 1-3 15-40 in the third set, shaking his head and covering his face in disbelief as he approached the net to shake hands with Djokovic.

“Well your heart goes out to Lorenzo Musetti, who looked set fair for the semi-finals when he took the second set. But what a break for Novak Djokovic. Didn't have to play in his fourth round match and will benefit from a retirement from Lorenzo Musetti in the quarter-final,” Nick Mullins told TNT Sports viewers.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

“And he is given the passage into the last four. And he will take it and there is sympathy for the Italian, whose first Australian Open quarter final ends in injury and the deepest of frustrations.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

“If things had carried on the way they were, he was going into a semi-final and Djokovic was gone and his dream of a golden 25th would have been on hold until Roland Garros. As it is, he can head off to do the winner's interview.”

EXPRESS SPORT ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page

Djokovic himself was speechless as Musetti was forced to throw in the towel, and told the Rod Laver Arena crowd that he was the one who should have been halfway home. “I don't know what to say except that I feel really sorry for him and he was a far better player,” the 24-time Major winner said.

“I was on my way home tonight. I don't know what to say, these kinds of things happen. It happened to me a few times but being in the quarters of a Slam, two sets up and being in control, so unfortunate. I don't know what else I can say, I really wish him a speedy recovery and he should have been a winner today, no doubt.”

There were similar scenes at Wimbledon last year when Grigor Dimitrov suddenly picked up a pectoral injury while leading Jannik Sinner by two sets to love in the fourth round and retired in tears. Sinner went on to lift the title.

Tennis news, scores and tournament results plus selected offers and competitions Invalid email

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

Get More of Our News on Google

Set Daily Express as a 'Preferred Source' to get quicker access to the news you value.

For Djokovic, this is his seventh straight semi-final appearance in Melbourne Park. The 38-year-old had been at risk of his earliest exit here since 2018. But he remains alive in the tournament and will face either Sinner or Ben Shelton in Friday’s semi-final.

Click here to read article