Holger Rune Defends Lorenzo Musetti’s Shocking Retirement Against Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open

Lorenzo Musetti was up 2 sets to love against Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open quarterfinal.

Holger Rune Defends Lorenzo Musetti’s Shocking Retirement Against Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open

Lorenzo Musetti and Holger Rune (via ATP Tour)

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Tennis fans know that the Australian Open is a marathon, not a sprint. But sometimes, even the most promising runs come to a sudden, painful halt. That’s exactly what happened in the quarterfinal showdown between Novak Djokovic and Lorenzo Musetti at Rod Laver Arena.

It was shaping up to be the upset of the tournament. Musetti, the 23-year-old Italian star, had the 10-time champion on the ropes. He was up two sets to love, playing the kind of tennis that makes you believe a changing of the guard is finally happening. Then, disaster struck. An upper right leg injury forced Musetti to retire in the third set, handing the win to Djokovic.

While some critics were quick to jump on Musetti for quitting, fellow young gun Holger Rune stepped up to defend his peer. The Danish man is out for most of the 2026 season due to his ACL tear last year. Rune said on X:

Look what happened to me when I pushed through a grade 1 tear in the leg….cost me longer time away from tennis than ever before. Yes we want to fight at any cost and with pain, but I perfectly understand Musetti chose to listen to his body.

It’s easy for spectators to say an athlete should “tough it out.” But Rune wasn’t having it. The Danish player, who knows the physical demands of the tour as well as anyone, publicly defended Musetti’s decision to stop.

Rune called it “the right choice” given the circumstances. Playing through a serious muscle injury doesn’t just risk losing a match; it risks ruining a season or even a career. By speaking out, Rune brought much-needed empathy to the conversation, reminding everyone that these athletes are human beings who must prioritize their long-term health over a single moment, no matter how big the stage is.

The match that almost changed everything

For the first hour and a half, it looked like Lorenzo Musetti was about to pull off the impossible. He came out swinging, playing aggressive baseline tennis that seemed to rattle Novak Djokovic. The Serb, who was dealing with a blister issue of his own, looked unusually vulnerable.

Lorenzo Musetti and Novak Djokovic (via X/The Tennis Letter)
Lorenzo Musetti and Novak Djokovic (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

Musetti took the first set 6-4, then the second 6-3. The crowd was buzzing. Djokovic looked like he was in trouble—he even admitted later that he thought his tournament was “all but over.”

But the physical toll of Grand Slam tennis is brutal. Early in the third set, with Musetti leading the match but trailing 1-3 in the set, he pulled up.

He tried to get treatment, tried to push through, but the injury to his upper right leg was too severe. He made the heartbreaking call to retire, shaking hands with Djokovic and walking off the court while leading on the scoreboard.

Novak Djokovic survives another scare

Novak Djokovic has survived so many lives at the Australian Open. This isn’t the first time he’s looked down and out, only to find a way through.

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic (via IMAGN.com)

While he acknowledged Musetti was the better player for two sets, Djokovic did what champions do—he hung in there. He capitalized on the situation and advanced to his 13th semifinal in Melbourne. It’s a testament to his resilience, but also a reminder of his aura; opponents often have to play perfect tennis and stay healthy just to have a chance.

Now, Djokovic moves on to face either Jannik Sinner. He’s two wins away from extending his record, but this match will likely leave a mark. It showed that he is beatable, even if the scoreboard says otherwise.

However, Sinner is a different ball game. Although he has also shown physical struggles this fortnight, the night session will eliminate any physical problems he may have.

Also Read: Australian Open 2026: Carlos Alcaraz vs. Alexander Zverev Preview, Prediction, and Live Stream Details