Australian Open News: Menšík Withdraws, Djokovic Advances to Quarterfinals Without Playing

It’s quite extraordinary for Djokovic to be this lucky!

Djokovic is set to compete against the victor of the match between Musetti and Fritz in the quarterfinals.

Menšík advanced to the Australian Open’s fourth round after losing just two sets but decided to withdraw because of an abdominal muscle injury. Without this, a fierce contest against Djokovic in the fourth round would have taken place.

Menšík stated:

“After giving my all to continue, I had to pull out of this Australian Open due to an abdominal muscle strain, which worsened over the past few matches. Although I am deeply disappointed, reaching the Australian Open fourth round for the first time is an experience I will cherish for a long time. I felt the incredible support from the fans; the atmosphere in Melbourne is truly special.”

In the first round, Menšík battled through five sets to defeat former top-ten player Busta, then won straight sets against Rafael Hodál and Ethan Quinn. He was originally set to face Djokovic again, recreating their 2025 Miami Open final encounter—where Menšík was the champion—but now he won’t step onto the court.

Djokovic will meet the winner between fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti and ninth seed Taylor Fritz in the quarterfinals. The ten-time Australian Open champion is pursuing his 25th Grand Slam title. At 38 years old, skipping a match is a significant advantage for Djokovic. However, resting for three consecutive days may disrupt his match-training rhythm, so careful adjustments will be needed to prepare for the next round.

[Look at me][Bow][Bow][Rose]

#AustralianOpenSchedule#​#Djokovic#​#Menšík#​#AustralianOpenNews#​#AustralianOpenUpdates#​