Novak Djokovic admitted he thought he was on his way home before Lorenzo Musetti’s retirement handed him a place in the semi-finals of the Australian Open. Musetti looked well on course to dump out Djokovic after racing into a 6-4 6-3 lead after two hours of play.
However, disaster soon struck for Musetti when he appeared to tweak a leg muscle in his opening game of the third. And after going 3-1 down in the third set, Musetti retired by walking to the net to shake hands with Novak Djokovic.
The Serbian was stunned by what happened and, speaking on the court in the immediate aftermath, admitted he thought he was heading home. He said: “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.”