Australian Open 2026: Tennis world rallies around devastated star after never before seen act rocks fans

Tennis fans have been left in shock after World No.5 Lorenzo Musetti became the first player in the Open Era to retire injured against his opponent after winning the first two sets in a grand slam quarter-final. Musetti was on his way to delivering the biggest win of his career having taken the first two sets against Novak Djokovic in a dominant display from the Italian.

Musetti was moving well and forcing Djokovic to try and shorten the points due to his superiority in the baseline exchanges. Although the Italian's afternoon turned into a disaster when he appeared to hobble out for the third set.

Djokovic broke to take a quick lead, but Musetti surprised the crowd having made the trip to the net to announce his retirement. Fans and Djokovic were were left stunned with the Italian becoming the first man in the Open Era to retire injured after winning the first two sets against an opponent.

Musetti later admitted it was an issue he felt in his right leg, which he knew would only cause more trouble if he played on. “I felt it at the beginning of the second set,” Musetti said in his post-match press conference. He added: “I felt there was something strange in my right leg, and I continued to play because I was playing really, really well."

Musetti said he was devastated after the result. “And leading the match like that, and being forced to retire, is something that I never imagined, and it is really painful.” Watching Musetti trudge off Rod Laver Arena injured certainly caught the attention of the tennis world.

Fans were feeling for Musetti who was aiming to reach his first ever Australian Open semi-final. The Italian will now need to take some time away from the game as he recovers. Injured tennis star Holger Rune jumped to the defence of Musetti and claimed he did the right thing in retiring otherwise he could have made his injury worse. Rune is currently missing the Australian Open after injuring his leg last year.

Novak Djokovic's humble admission after win

Djokovic was humble having admitted he was probably going to be sent home from the Australian Open if it wasn't for Musetti's unfortunate setback. “I don’t know what to say except for I feel sorry for him. He was a far better player. I was on my way home tonight," Djokovic admitted during his on-court interview.

Djokovic has now enjoyed a walkover in the round of 16, before Musetti retiring injured in the quarter-final. The 38-year-old has enjoyed a little bit of fortune on his way to the semi-final where he will take on Jannik Sinner. The Italian was brutal in his straight sets win over Ben Shelton on Wednesday night.

Djokovic admitted he is feeling fit and is ready to go as he seeks an unprecedented 11th Australian Open title. The Serbian admitted he has struggled against the likes of Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz later in grans slams due to fatigue as he gets older. The 38-year-old could be looking at this year's semi-final as the best opportunity for him to win another grand slam after spending minimal time on court during his run to the final four.

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