Djokovic gets out of jail to chase history at AUS Open, Musetti heartbroken

VIDEO SHOWS: AUSTRALIAN OPEN POST MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE SOUNDBITES FROM NOVAK DJOKOVIC AND LORENZO MUSETTI  COMPLETE  SCRIPT TO FOLLOW SHOWS: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA (JANUARY 28, 2026)(TENNIS AUSTRALIA – See restrictions) SHOTLIST TO FOLLOW STORY: Novak Djokovic continued his quest for a record-extending 11th Australian Open title and standalone 25th Grand Slam crown, but only after a cruel twist of fate for Lorenzo Musetti, who quit their quarter-final with an injury on Wednesday (January 28) while leading. While the stars seemed to align for the 38-year-old Serb in his hunt for more glory at the majors, he dismissed the question about him 'chasing Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner' at Grand Slams now, adding that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will always be his rivals.  A distraught Musetti was struggling to comprehend how injury robbed him of victory against Novak Djokovic and a place in the Australian Open semi-final on Wednesday. The Italian fifth seed outclassed the 24-time Grand Slam champion for two sets at Rod Laver Arena, leading 6-4 6-3 but was then struck by an upper leg injury. He was 3-1 down in the third set when he quit having had the trainer on court shortly before. Djokovic, who himself had issues with blistered feet, admitted afterwards he was "on his way home" until Musetti's bad luck and wished the Italian a quick recovery. For Musetti though it was a heart-breaking end to another Grand Slam challenge after being forced to retire injured in last year's French Open semi-final against Carlos Alcaraz. (Production: Bhagya Ayyavoo)

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