MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 22: Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts in the Men’s Singles Second Round against Francesco Maestrelli of Italy during day five of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 22, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
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Novak Djokovic is into the Australian Open quarterfinals without having to play a match.
Jakub Mensik has withdrawn from the tournament due to an abdominal muscle injury, giving the Serbian legend a walkover into the final eight.
No. 4 Djokovic will face either No. 5 Lorenzo Musetti or No. 9 Taylor Fritz in his bid to record a record 25th Grand Slam title.
“After doing everything we could to keep going, I have to withdraw from the Australian Open due to an abdominal muscle injury that has progressed over the last matches,” Mensik said, per the ATP. “Even though I’m disappointed, making the fourth round here for the first time is something I will carry with me for a long time.
“I felt so much energy from the fans and the atmosphere in Melbourne was truly special.”
After battling past former Top-10 star Pablo Carreno Busta in five sets in the first round, Mensik beat Rafael Jodar and American Ethan Quinn in straight sets. But he will not take the court for what would have been a rematch of the 2025 Miami final, won by Mensik.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamzagoria/2026/01/25/novak-djokovic-gets-walkover-into-australian-open-quarterfinals/
