Djokovic sorry for almost hitting ball girl in ‘heat of the moment’ act
Novak Djokovic admitted he got “extremely lucky” as Lorenzo Musetti retired injured from their Australian Open quarter-final while two sets up, sending the 38-year-old through to another semi-final showdown with defending champion Jannik Sinner.
Musetti raced into a 6-4 6-3 lead, playing brilliant tennis, but began to struggle after noticing pain in his leg at the beginning of the second set. The issue became worse at the start of the third, leaving Musetti unable to run, and he retired while 3-1 down.
Djokovic’s latest pursuit of a 25th grand slam title was also aided by a walkover in the fourth round, as Jakub Mensik pulled out of the tournament due to injury, and the 10-time Australian Open champion said he will have to bring his “A-game” to beat Sinner in the semi-finals on Friday.
Sinner beat Ben Shelton in straight-sets in the other quarter-final for his 19th win in a row in Melbourne. The Italian has also beaten Djokovic in their last five meetings, which includes semi-finals at the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon.
Earlier, Elena Rybakina ended Iga Swiatek’s career grand slam attempt with a 7-5 6-1 victory in the women’s quarter-finals. Rybakina, the 2023 runner-up, will play sixth seed Jessica Pegula , who reached her first Australian Open semi-final with a 6-2 7-6 win over Amanda Anisimova.
Follow latest score updates from the Australian Open, below
Australian Open latest scores and updates Novak Djokovic gives injury update on ‘biggest concern’ facing Australian Open bid
Novak Djokovic was pleased to reach the semi-finals of the Australian Open without any “major” physical issues as he issued an update on a troublesome foot blister ahead of his showdown against Jannik Sinner.
Djokovic admitted he was “extremely lucky” to survive his quarter-final meeting with Lorenzo Musetti, as the Italian retired from the match due to a leg injury while leading 2-0 in sets.
It was another boost for Djokovic as the 38-year-old bids to win a record 25th grand slam title and become the oldest Australian Open champion of all time, although he will be the underdog against defending champion Sinner on Friday.
Jamie Braidwood28 January 2026 12:48
Why Novak Djokovic’s lucky Australian Open run now faces a major problem
After receiving a walkover in the fourth round, Djokovic advanced from the quarter-finals when Lorenzo Musetti retired from two sets up, booking a rematch with Jannik Sinner.
Jamie Braidwood28 January 2026 12:23
Lorenzo Musetti devastated by Australian Open retirement: ‘There are no words’
A devastated Lorenzo Musetti said he had “no words” to describe his disappointment after he was forced to retire from his Australian Open quarter-final against Novak Djokovic while two sets up.
The 23-year-old Italian looked on course for the biggest win of his career as he deservedly led Djokovic 6-4 6-3, but the fifth seed was struck down by a right leg injury that became more painful in the third.
Jamie Braidwood28 January 2026 12:07
Novak Djokovic looks ahead to Jannik Sinner clash: ‘He is the favourite’
“I mean, [he is the] absolute favourite, but you never know. 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.
“Are they [Sinner and Alcaraz] better right now than me and all the other guys? Yes, they are. I mean, the quality and the level is amazing. It’s great. It’s phenomenal.
“But does that mean that I walk out with a white flag? No. I’m going to fight until the last shot, until the last point, and do my very best to challenge them.”
(AFP via Getty Images)
Jamie Braidwood28 January 2026 11:47
Jannik Sinner hoping for another ‘great battle’ against Novak Djokovic
“These are moments you practice for, why you wake up in the morning, and you just look forward to play hopefully a good match.
“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
“We play for you guys, but we also play for us and hopefully it’s gonna be a great battle out here and then we’ll see. Of course, it’s gonna be very, very difficult.”
Jamie Braidwood28 January 2026 11:27
Jannik Sinner: ‘I feel stronger physically again’
“It’s very, very tough to play against Ben, a huge, huge serve, and I feel like he’s improving so much year after year, especially after the off-season.
“You never know how certain players are gonna play against you, changing a lot of things, so very happy about today’s performance. As always, thanks for the support. Now let’s see what’s coming.
“I was struggling [in the third round against Eliot Spizzirri]. We go day by day. I had a great win, win a couple of days ago against fellow Italian [Luciano Darderi], which gives you a confidence boost.
“Today I felt like I was moving again a little bit better. I feel I feel stronger physically again.
“Of course, semis again, I’m very happy to be here again. Of course, we all know what challenge I’m up against next, but I’m looking forward to it and we all hope for a great match.”
(Getty Images)
Jamie Braidwood28 January 2026 11:12
Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner to lock horns again at Australian Open
Novak Djokovic said he will have to bring his “A-game” as he faces another Australian Open showdown with defending champion Jannik Sinner.
Djokovic’s bid for a record 25th grand slam title looked to be over as he trailed Lorenzo Musetti by two sets in the quarter-finals on Wednesday, but the 38-year-old was “extremely lucky” to progress as the Italian retired with a right leg injury.
Having lost to Sinner in each of their last five meetings, including in three grand slam semi-finals, Djokovic will need to improve if he is to end the second seed’s 19-match winning run at Melbourne Park. Sinner returned to the semi-finals with a straight-sets win over Ben Shelton.
Sinner will be bidding to set up a fourth grand slam final in a row against his rival Carlos Alcaraz, who plays third seed Alexander Zverev in the first semi-final on Friday.
Sinner ended Djokovic’s 33-match winning run at the Australian Open by beating the 10-time champion in the 2024 semi-finals, and they are set for another showdown in Melbourne.
Jamie Braidwood28 January 2026 11:03
GAME, SET AND MATCH! Jannik Sinner 6-3 6-4 6-4 Ben Shelton
That’s 19 wins in a row in Melbourne for Jannik Sinner. Such a clean performance, for the most part, against Ben Shelton. He will play Novak Djokovic on Friday.
Eighth seed Shelton had played really well through to the quarter-finals, like Alex de Minaur had been on the other side, but Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are just on a different level. Sinner has now won nine matches in a row, and 22 sets in a row, against the American.
The top four seeds on the men’s side have reached the semi-finals. It will be No 1 Alcaraz against No 3 Alexander Zverev, and No 2 Sinner against No 4 Djokovic.
Jannik Sinner celebrates (AFP via Getty Images)
Jamie Braidwood28 January 2026 10:56
Jannik Sinner to serve for place in Australian Open semi-finals
Ben Shelton has been far too inconsistent to stand a chance against Jannik Sinner today. A double fault down 15-40, 4-4 in the third set hands the defending champion the chance to serve for a place in the semi-finals.
Sinner has not dropped serve once today.
(AFP via Getty Images)
Jamie Braidwood28 January 2026 10:52
Novak Djokovic weighs in on Australian Open camera debate
After Iga Swiatek backed Coco Gauff’s calls for more privacy at the Australian Open, saying that players are made to feel like “animals in the zoo” due to the surveillance of behind-the-scenes cameras at the tournament, Novak Djokovic said he is also “against” the constant monitoring.
Gauff was captured smashing her racket seven times following her quarter-final defeat to Elina Svitolina on Tuesday and was frustrated to see her outburst immediately shared across social media.
Djokovic empathised with Gauff’s frustration but said that, while he is against the invasion of the players’ space, he cannot see how the tournaments go “backwards” to limit what fans and broadcasters have access to.
Jamie Braidwood28 January 2026 10:35