Jannik Sinner Reacts To Novak Djokovic Moving Into Australian Open Quarters Without Playing

Last Updated:January 28, 2026, 09:55 IST

Jannik Sinner discusses Novak Djokovic's quarterfinals entry at Australian Open after Jakub Mensik's withdrawal.

Novak Djokovic will take on Lorenzo Musetti in the Australian Open quarterfinals (Picture credit: AP)

Defending Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner has said that there are positives and negatives to Novak Djokovic moving into the quarterfinals of the tournament without playing the fourth round, adding that it needs to be seen if the gap gives him ample rest or breaks his rhythm.

Djokovic heads into Wednesday’s quarterfinal without playing his fourth-round match after Jakub Mensik’s withdrawal. As per Sinner, skipping a fourth-round outing could either be an advantage or a challenge for Djokovic in the quarters.

Mensik withdrew from the Australian Open with an abdominal muscle injury, pulling out just a day before his scheduled fourth-round clash with Djokovic. The withdrawal not only handed him an easy passage to the quarterfinals but also gave him an extra day to rest.

Sinner, after bagging progress to the quarterfinals himself, was asked about how the lack of fourth-round action could impact Djokovic’s performance against Musetti.

“I have a very tough match the next one, as Novak has. There are positives and negatives. In this sport, it can happen. He always had quite fast matches, also. At times, it can also break the rhythm a little bit," Sinner said after his match against compatriot Luciano Darderi.

“At the same time, it can give you a bit more energy than the opponent. It depends," Sinner said.

On day 11 at Melbourne Park, where temperatures were far more comfortable than the 43 °C on Tuesday, Djokovic faces Lorenzo Musetti of Italy.

The winner will meet Sinner or all-action Ben Shelton of the United States in the last four. Djokovic has won a record-equalling 24 Grand Slam titles, 10 of them in Melbourne. But a 25th has remained out of reach since winning at the US Open in 2023.

Djokovic got a free ride into the Musetti showdown when Mensik pulled out injured, giving the former an extra day’s rest.

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