Bad luck struck Lorenzo Musetti at the worst possible moment. The Italian was forced to retire from his Australian Open quarter-final against Novak Djokovic after dominating the first two sets with inspired tennis. Leading 6–4, 6–3 and firmly in control, Musetti had to stop with Djokovic ahead 3–1 in the third set due to a leg injury.

The match had showcased a confident, aggressive Musetti, mixing pace and variety to unsettle a visibly uncomfortable Djokovic. Everything changed in the third set: first blisters on his foot, then a sudden pain in the upper part of his right thigh after a full-stretch recovery. Despite medical treatment and an attempt to push through, the pain worsened to the point where continuing became impossible.

“I played one of the most important matches of my life, and that’s what hurts the most,” Musetti said after retiring. “I don’t understand why these injuries keep happening.” It was a bitter déjà vu for the Italian, recalling his withdrawal in the Roland Garros semi-final against Carlos Alcaraz last year. Djokovic moves on to the semi-finals, where he will face either Jannik Sinner or Ben Shelton, while Musetti is left with the frustration of a golden opportunity slipping away.