01/28/26 04:14:00
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01/28 04:13 CST 'I was lucky this time' says Djokovic after reaching semifinals
through Musetti's injury
'I was lucky this time' says Djokovic after reaching semifinals through
Musetti's injury
By JOHN PYE
AP Sports Writer
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) --- Novak Djokovic was the first to admit he's lucky
to be back in the Australian Open semifinals instead of Lorenzo Musetti.
Despite being two sets down, slowed by a serious blister on his foot and
already thinking about his flight home, the 24-time major winner won
Wednesday's quarterfinal when fifth-seeded Musetti retired through injury.
Musetti took the first two sets 6-4, 6-3 but needed a medical timeout for
treatment on his upper right leg after being broken in the third game of the
third. The 23-year-old Italian played on for almost two games but couldn't
continue.
After serving a double-fault in the fifth game to give Djokovic another
breakpoint chance, Musetti wiped a hand across his face, walked toward the net
and removed his headband before exchanging a handshake and quick hug.
"I honestly have no words to describe how I'm feeling right now and how tough
it is for me this injury in this moment," Musetti said. "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, who was leading the third set 3-1, will continue his bid for an 11th
Australian title and a record 25th major but acknowledged he was lucky this
time.
"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," for
Musetti, Djokovic said in an on-court interview. "He should have been a winner
today."
Musetti was also forced to retire from the French Open semifinals last year
---- with a similar injury --- against eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz.
"I feel really sorry for him," Djokovic said. "He was a far better player --- I
was on my way home tonight."
In the first set, Djokovic tried to go out hard. He took an early break and was
just a point away from a 3-0 lead before Musetti responded and took control of
the match.
Late in the second set, Djokovic conceded a point after telling the chair
umpire his racket frame had touched --- barely, and inaudibly --- the ball
before it went out. He soon lost that game and the set.
The situation appeared to get more dire for the 38-year-old Djokovic when he
needed a medical timeout after the second set for the blister on the ball of
his right foot.
"I tried my best yes. A blister here and there. I just wasn't feeling the ball
today due to his quality, and his variety in the game," he said. "I'm extremely
lucky."
But in tennis no player takes any victory for granted. Just a few days ago,
Djokovic received a walkover into the quarterfinals when Jakub Mensik withdrew
24 hours ahead of their scheduled fourth-round match due to an abdominal injury.
Djokovic has seen it from the other side. None more dramatic than here last
year when he had to quit the Australian Open semifinals with a torn leg muscle.
He was booed off the court when he retired immediately after dropping the first
set against Alexander Zverev.
Djokovic next faces the winner of Wednesday's quarterfinal between No. 8 Ben
Shelton and two-time defending Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner.
___
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