Novak Djokovic Confronts Umpire After Getting Time Violation Warning During Tense Australian Open Clash with Lorenzo Musetti

Novak Djokovic booked a spot in the semifinals of the Australian Open after receiving the walkover from Lorenzo Musetti.

Novak Djokovic Confronts Umpire After Getting Time Violation Warning During Tense Australian Open Clash with Lorenzo Musetti

Novak Djokovic (R) received the walkover from Lorenzo Musetti (L) (Image via X/Phil, Tiempo De Tenis, The Tennis Letter)

Novak Djokovic struggled throughout his quarterfinal match against Lorenzo Musetti. During the tense meeting under the scorching sun, when Djokovic was groping for a cap in his bag, he received a time violation warning.

This happened in the first set when the Serb was trailing 4-5 and walked toward his chair to find the cap, while Musetti was waiting to serve. Umpire James Keothavong‘s time violation irked the 24-time Grand Slam champion, and he let out his frustrations. Djokovic asked Keothavong why he didn’t give him a “heads up”.

I was looking for my cap. I was changing. You could’ve given me a heads up, as a gentleman and someone who’s been in sport for a couple decades… Mid first set, first time I go over, and you give me a warning. You think that’s fair? I’m not saying it’s against the rules, because I went over. But you could’ve given me a heads up, right? You could’ve told me, ‘Hey Novak, hurry up.’ Right?

Novak Djokovic asked the umpire

Djokovic eventually won the match- though not through his own efforts. He admitted twice after reaching the semifinals that he would have headed home had Musetti not thrown in the towel due to an injury in his leg.

After losing the first two sets, it seemed Djokovic was in control during the third set when Musetti took a medical timeout and received treatment on his leg. Although he did try to play after the treatment, he deemed it best to retire mid-match and not aggravate the injury.

This ended Musetti’s hopes of making his third Grand Slam semifinal. Musetti, who before this year produced his best Australian Open performance by reaching the third round in 2025, was chasing his career’s third tour-level title. Since winning his second title at the 2022 Tennis Napoli Cup, the 23-year-old has lost seven consecutive finals, including this year’s Hong Kong Open to Alexander Bublik.

Holger Rune comes in Lorenzo Musetti’s defense after the Italian gave the walkover to Novak Djokovic

After Lorenzo Musetti’s withdrawal, a section of the tennis community started criticizing him, saying he’s not a fighter and gives up easily. But Holger Rune defended Musetti, saying pushing through injuries could lead to serious damage and force him to stay on the sidelines for a long time.

Lorenzo Musetti US Open 2025
Lorenzo Musetti (image via ATP)

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.

Holger Rune wrote on X

Check out his tweet here:

Rune himself is nursing an injury. During the semifinal of the Stockholm Open against Ugo Humbert, the Dane tore his Achiless tendon and later underwent surgery. He withdrew from the Australian Open and is expected to miss the majority of the 2026 season.

Novak Djokovic, in the semifinals, will be locking horns with two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner. The 10-time Australian Open champion trails 4-6 in the head-to-head matchups against Sinner, who breezed past Ben Shelton to improve his head-to-head record to 9-1.

It was Sinner who ended Djokovic’s run in the 2024 Australian Open, beating him in four sets in the semifinals. Last year, Sinner was the reason why Djokovic failed to advance to the finals of the French Open and Wimbledon, losing in the semifinals in straight sets twice. At the US Open, eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz knocked him out in straight sets in the last four.

Sinner is chasing his third consecutive title at Melbourne Park. If he wins, he will become the second man after Djokovic in the Open Era to complete the three-peat in the event.

Also read: Naomi Osaka’s Ex-Coach Blasts Iva Jovic’s Critics Who Cited her Australian Open Comments as Arrogant