Novak Djokovic advances to Australian Open quarter-finals without hitting a ball
Novak Djokovic has progressed to the Australian Open quarter-finals without striking a ball after his scheduled opponent withdrew from the tournament, reports BritPanorama.
The Serbian tennis great received a walkover on Sunday when Jakub Mensik announced he would not compete in their fourth-round encounter. Mensik, seeded 16th at Melbourne Park, made this announcement about 24 hours before they were set to meet on Monday evening at Rod Laver Arena.
Mensik had reached the last sixteen by defeating American Ethan Quinn in straight sets on Saturday night, marking his first appearance in the second week of a Grand Slam tournament.
The young Czech player shared his decision with supporters via Instagram, expressing the difficulty of his announcement. “This is a tough one to write,” he stated. He cited an abdominal muscle injury that had worsened during previous matches as the reason for his withdrawal, noting that after consulting with his medical team, he felt it necessary to prioritise recovery over competition.
Despite the disappointment of not continuing in the tournament, Mensik reflected positively on his Melbourne experience, cherishing his achievement of reaching the fourth round. “I felt so much energy from the fans, and the atmosphere in Melbourne was truly special,” he added.
Djokovic, now 38, continues his pursuit of a record-setting 25th Grand Slam singles title, which would surpass Margaret Court’s tally of 24 major victories. He has been in standout form throughout the tournament, yet to drop a set in Melbourne. His most recent major triumph came at the 2023 US Open, following a year where he reached the semi-finals at all four Grand Slams but fell short of clinching a title.
The walkover provides Djokovic with an additional 48 hours of rest before facing either Italian fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti or American ninth seed Taylor Fritz in the quarter-finals. This fortunate turn of events alleviates immediate pressure as he navigates potentially challenging upcoming matches.
Mensik’s withdrawal marks the second such incident in 24 hours due to abdominal issues, with two-time champion Naomi Osaka also exiting her third-round match against Maddison Inglis. Djokovic, meanwhile, can look ahead with confidence, aware that he may soon face defending champion Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals and world number one Carlos Alcaraz in a potential final encounter.
This tournament not only underscores Djokovic’s remarkable consistency but also illustrates the unpredictable nature inherent to competitive sport, reminding us that within the pursuit of greatness, the path is often strewn with unforeseen obstacles.
