Musetti withdraws, Djokovic advances to the semifinals, renowned coach believes Djokovic cannot match Sinner

This afternoon at the 2026 Australian Open men's singles quarterfinals, a dramatic moment fell over the Rod Laver Arena, leaving the crowd in a complex silence. Italian player Lorenzo Musetti, leading two sets to zero but trailing 1-3 in the third, was forced to retire due to an unexpected injury, handing Djokovic his 13th Australian Open semifinal berth.

As he removed his headband and approached Djokovic, the Italian's face showed clear frustration. Having reached the Australian Open quarterfinals and climbed to a career-high world ranking of third, he was on the brink of his first semifinal appearance at this major. Musetti has struggled with injuries in recent years, retiring in the deciding set of the 2025 China Open quarterfinals, withdrawing from two South American tournaments earlier that year due to a calf strain, and showing minor injuries in both the warm-up and first round of this Australian Open. Despite this, he defeated an injured Fritz to reach the quarterfinals for the first time here, completing the feat of reaching the quarters in all four Grand Slams.

His attempt to continue was unsuccessful, reflecting the young player’s battle between chasing his dreams and physical limits. Although retiring did not prevent him from achieving a personal best ranking, it cruelly ended his chance to reach his first Grand Slam final.

This is Djokovic’s second advancement at this Australian Open due to an opponent’s retirement; previously, the rising star Menshik had also withdrawn before the quarterfinals due to injury. While this mode of progression conserves precious energy for the 24-time Grand Slam champion, it also presents an unusual challenge: how to quickly regain top form for the semifinals without the rhythm of high-intensity matches?

Djokovic will face second seed Sinner in the semifinals. On this, renowned coach Moratoglou offered a thought-provoking perspective: “To me, Novak cannot compete with Yannick unless he is truly, truly, truly hungry for victory mentally. Winning his 25th Grand Slam is a huge goal for him… but I don’t sense that hunger. I don’t hear that voice.”

Moratoglou further explained: “When he desires Olympic gold, his level of play differs from the rest of the season. That’s who Novak is. Facing Sinner’s youthful energy, one thing is certain: their matchup might reveal more clues about Djokovic’s future.”

Djokovic reaching the Australian Open semifinals for the 13th time is itself a milestone, cementing his legendary status at Melbourne Park. However, Moratoglou’s comments reflect a common question among tennis observers: after achieving nearly everything possible, what continues to drive this Serbian king?

On the other hand, Musetti’s experience highlights the harsh reality professional tennis players face—the fragile balance between their bodies and careers. At the 2026 Australian Open, we witnessed not only the outcomes of matches but also turning points in careers and the continuation of legacies.

The semifinal clash against Sinner will be a key measure of Djokovic’s current form and future trajectory. For Musetti, although this Australian Open journey ended in disappointment, reaching the quarterfinals and achieving a career-high ranking opens new doors for his career.

On the dramatic stage of sports, chance events often rewrite history, but what truly defines a legend is the persistence to move forward amid opportunity and challenge. The semifinals mark Djokovic’s biggest test in this tournament, and the tennis world is watching closely to see if this legend can once again find that “truly, truly, truly hungry for victory” spirit in Melbourne.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Mei)