NOVAK DJOKOVIC consoled a heartbroken Lorenzo Musetti after he was forced to withdraw from the Australian Open despite cruising towards a famous victory.
Musetti, 23, led by two sets against Djokovic, 38, on Wednesday in Melbourne.
The fifth-seeded Italian was well on top and leading 6-4, 6-3, 1-3 when he retired after treatment on his upper right leg, with his movement badly impeded.
Nole immediately approached his fallen opponent to console him and gave him a hug.
The Serbian was full of praise for Musetti after the match and even described him as the “far better player”.
The world No1 even admitted that he was “on his way home tonight” before the Italian’s injury.
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Djokovic said: “I don’t know what to say except for I feel sorry for him. He was the far better player, I was on my way home tonight.
“Don’t know what to say, these kind of things happen in sport. It happened to me a few times.
“You know, being in quarters of a Grand Slam up two sets to love up and being in full control. I mean, so unfortunate.
“I don’t know what else to say. I wish him a speedy recovery and he should’ve been the winner today no doubt.”
It is another huge stroke of luck for Djokovic, who also saw his fourth-round opponent Jakub Mensik withdraw on Sunday with an abdominal injury.
The 10-time Melbourne winner will now play either defending champion Jannik Sinner or Ben Shelton for a place in the final.
The let-off kept alive Djokovic’s bid to secure a record 25th major title, which would see him beat Margaret Court‘s record, despite only winning three matches so far
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