‘I was on my way home’ – Firstpost

Novak Djokovic had a lucky escape on Wednesday as he survived a scare against Italian Lorenzo Musetti, who was forced to retire midway through the Australian Open 2026 quarter-final despite winning the first two sets. Djokovic thanked the Gods and praised Musetti as he progressed to his 13th Australian Open semi-final.

Musetti was leading 6-4, 6-3 before injuring his right leg, and after a lengthy medical timeout, he retired in the third set, where Djokovic held a 3-1 lead. Musetti has a history of injury issues, having also retired during the French Open semi-final against Carlos Alcaraz last year.

Djokovic escapes after Musetti’s cruel injury

Djokovic heaved a sigh of relief after Musetti pulled out, but the Serbian star also acknowledged that the Italian was the best player on the court.

“I don’t know what to say except that you know, I feel really sorry for him and he was a far better player and I was on my way home tonight,” Djokovic said during the on-court interview. “These kinds of things happen in sport and it has 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 I can say. I wish him a speedy recovery.”

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The 38-year-old Djokovic, who was himself struggling with blisters on his right foot and received treatment during the match, added that Musetti’s quality proved too much for him in the quarter-final, even though he tried his best.

“I had four winners in the first two games and no unforced errors and in the next whole match, I had four winners and 40 unforced errors. That is what Lorenzo does to you. When you are attacking, you don’t know what is going to happen…what can I say is that I tried my best, really. I can’t complain. Nothing majorly bothered me. I wasn’t feeling the ball in the first few games, but that was down to his quality.”

The sport we all love can be brutal sometimes… 💔

WIshing you a speedy recovery, Lorenzo 🙌@wwos • @espn • @tntsports • @wowowtennis • #AO26 pic.twitter.com/bC5wLyLrxo

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 28, 2026

Nonetheless, it is Djokovic who has progressed to the semi-final in the Australian Open 2026 after also getting a walkover in the fourth round. And after his latest lucky escape, he didn’t forget to thank the Gods.

“To be honest, at this stage of my career, I don’t know what serves me and what doesn’t. I was down two sets to love. I should have lost, but I won. I am going to show my gratitude to God for giving me this opportunity and I am going to do my best.”

Djokovic will be facing either second seed Jannik Sinner or eighth seed Ben Shelton and hopes to do his best in the final four match.

“I will watch the match with my team to get some insights into the two players, but my priority is my game. Not happy with my performance, but hopefully I can come back and be at my best.”