Djokovic sorry for almost hitting ball girl in ‘heat of the moment’ act
Novak Djokovic advanced to the semi-finals of the Australian Open after his opponent Lorenzo Musetti was forced to retire injured while two sets up.
The Italian fifth seed, 23, raced into a 6-4 6-3 lead, playing brilliant tennis, before he tweaked his groin in his opening service game of the third. After going 3-1 down, Musetti, who was unable to run because of the injury, retired and shook hands with Djokovic at the net.
“I don’t know what to say except I feel really sorry for him and he was a far better player,” Djokovic said. “I was on my way home tonight. Being in quarters of a grand slam, two sets to love up and being in full control, so unfortunate. He should have been a winner today, there’s no doubt.”
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 38-year-old will now play either Jannik Sinner or Ben Shelton in the semi-finals. “I’m just extremely lucky,” Djokovic said. “I’m going to do my best to use it.”
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.
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Australian Open latest scores and updates Lorenzo Musetti: ‘There are no words to describe how I’m feeling’
Appearing at his press conference, a devastated Lorenzo Musetti says he felt some pain in his right leg at the beginning of the second set. The pain got worse in the third set, to the point where he could not continue.
“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.
“At the end, when I took the medical time-out, to stay three minutes seated, and when I started to play again, I felt even more and was getting higher and higher the level of the pain.
“We have done all the exams and tests before starting the season to see and to try and prevent these kind of injuries, and then they say nothing came out. So I honestly have no words to describe how I’m feeling right now and how tough is for me this injury in this moment.”
(AP)
Jamie Braidwood28 January 2026 08:25
Novak Djokovic’s historic Australian Open bid is turning into a tournament of luck
After receiving a walkover in the fourth round, Djokovic advanced from the quarter-finals when Lorenzo Musetti retired from two sets up.
Jamie Braidwood28 January 2026 08:08
Next up: Jannik Sinner v Ben Shelton
Jannik Sinner aims to continue his winning run at the Australian Open as Ben Shelton bids for revenge against the defending champion in the quarter-finals, where the winner will play Novak Djokovic.
Sinner has battled physical difficulties in the heat to extend his win-streak in Melbourne to 18 matches, a run that includes a semi-final win over Shelton year.
The American eighth seed believes he is a different player now and the left-hander has been in dangerous form, having overcome Casper Ruud in his previous match, but the 23-year-old has a difficult record against Sinner.
Last year, Sinner rolled past Shelton 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 6-2, and he will look to match the gathering pace of rival Carlos Alcaraz after he progressed to his first Australian Open semi-final.
Jannik Sinner bids to return to the Australian Open semi-finals (REUTERS)
Jamie Braidwood28 January 2026 07:56
How lucky can Novak Djokovic get?
Novak Djokovic was on his way home. Two sets down to Lorenzo Musetti, the dream of a 25th grand slam title at the Australian Open looked to be fading from sight.
He could have had no complaints, such was his difficultly in keeping the ball in the court as the timing of his shots abandoned him. The unforced error count stood at 31 and was rising. A troublesome blister on his right toe forced a medical timeout.
But then the tennis gods answered his prayers. In the second game of the third set, Musetti tweaked his groin while serving. The look on the Italian’s face as he winced towards his coaches said it all: he was done. Unable to run side to side, he retired to send Djokovic through.
Jamie Braidwood28 January 2026 07:45
Djokovic remains tied with Federer on 102 Australian Open wins
A 13th Australian Open semi-final for Novak Djokovic. Until two years ago, he had never lost one.
Also, after a walkover and a withdrawal, Djokovic remains tied with Roger Federer on 102 wins at the Australian Open, despite advancing to the final four.
Jamie Braidwood28 January 2026 07:27
Novak Djokovic not happy with performance after reaching semi-finals
Novak Djokovic will play either Jannik Sinner or Ben Shelton in the semi-finals. He has made it very clear that he will need to improve on Friday. Sounds like Djokovic lost some rhythm after his walkover against Jakub Mensik in the fourth round.
“I’ll watch that match with my team and try to get some insights of of both of these guys’ game. Nevertheless, my main priority remains my game. I played really well until today, throughout the whole tournament.
”Today, I’m definitely not happy with my performance, but it’s another day in the office and hopefully in the in the in a couple of days’ time I can come out and being at my best because that’s what’s going to be needed.”
(Getty Images)
Jamie Braidwood28 January 2026 07:13
Djokovic: ‘I got extremely lucky – I’m gonna do my best to use it’
”I just wasn’t feeling the ball today, the first couple of sets. But that’s also due to his quality and his variety in the game.
“I’m just extremely lucky to get to get through this one today.
“I had a walkover in the fourth round and today should have been beaten, and then two sets down and I get the win, so I mean.
“I’m gonna double my prayers tonight for sure, and gratitude to God for really giving me this opportunity once again.
“I’m gonna do my best in a couple of days to use it.”
(REUTERS)
Jamie Braidwood28 January 2026 07:05
A devastating retirement for Lorenzo Musetti
So gutting for Lorenzo Musetti. Two sets up, playing brilliant tennis, closing in on a win against Novak Djokovic, the Italian is struck down by a groin injury.
It was so severe that Musetti couldn’t run, and he lasted just a couple more games. It’s devastating for the Italian, who also retired from his French Open semi-final against Carlos Alcaraz last season.
He is denied what would have been the best win of his career.
(REUTERS)
Jamie Braidwood28 January 2026 07:01
Novak Djokovic: ‘I was on my way home tonight’
“I don’t know what to say except that you know, I feel really sorry for him and he was a far better player.
”I was on my way home tonight. Don’t know what to say.
“I mean, this, this kind of thing is happening in sport and it happened to me a few times.
“Being in quarters of a Grand Slam, two sets to love up and being in full control, I mean, 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, there’s no doubt.”
(AFP via Getty Images)
(REUTERS)
Jamie Braidwood28 January 2026 06:53
Djokovic through to semi-finals
Novak Djokovic looks stunned. What an extremely fortunate break. Such a shame for Musetti, who was looking so good in taking a two-set lead.
Djokovic is now speaking on court. He is through to the semi-finals, but cannot celebrate this.
Jamie Braidwood28 January 2026 06:48