Boris Becker comments on Novak Djokovic’s semi-final advancement after Musetti withdraws
Boris Becker believes Novak Djokovic will have felt “embarrassed” after advancing to the Australian Open semi-finals following Lorenzo Musetti’s withdrawal through injury on Wednesday, reports BritPanorama.
The Italian was comfortably leading at 6-4, 6-3, 3-1 when a leg problem forced him to abandon the quarter-final contest in Melbourne. Djokovic acknowledged that Musetti had been “the far better player” and conceded he would likely have suffered defeat had his opponent’s body not failed him.
“I know him quite well, it’s embarrassing for him because that’s not how he wants to win,” Becker said during a commentary on Eurosport. The six-time Grand Slam winner also discussed Musetti’s performance, noting, “That’s disappointing for Musetti; he played such a great tournament.” Becker emphasized that Musetti was clearly outplaying Djokovic before his departure.
Djokovic, now 38, will face the defending champion Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals as he seeks an 11th title in Melbourne. Becker offered insights into Musetti’s playing style, which requires considerable physical effort, laden with long rallies that likely contributed to his injury. He also pointed out that Carlos Alcaraz had faced similar challenges earlier in the tournament, suggesting that Musetti might need further physical conditioning.
Becker praised Djokovic’s candid admission regarding his opponent’s superior performance, calling it a commendable display of sportsmanship. “It’s a fair gesture for him to say that [Musetti was the better player]. He’s always perceived as being dogged. But Novak is a true sportsman and saw that he was lucky and he made that very clear,” Becker noted.
As Djokovic progresses through the tournament, Becker commented on the significance of the Serbian’s experience and consistent performance. “Novak still has consistency. The fact that he’s back in the semi-finals speaks for itself. He’s a sportsman; he doesn’t want to reach the semi-finals by [his opponent] retiring,” he added.
With ambitions to secure his 25th Grand Slam title, Djokovic steps into a highly anticipated match against Sinner, the two-time reigning champion in Melbourne. This clash promises to be a compelling contest as Djokovic continues his pursuit of history on the courts where he has previously triumphed ten times.
As the past melds with the present, the unfolding drama in Melbourne serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of sports, where fortunes can shift in an instant, turning the spotlight from potential glory to missed opportunities.
