Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open opponent withdraws ahead of match and issues statement | Tennis | Sport

Novak Djokovic has been given a walkover into the quarter-finals of the Australian Open after Jakub Mensik announced his withdrawal. The No. 16 seed beat Ethan Quinn in straight sets on Saturday night to advance to the second week of a Major for the first time in his career. Mensik stunned Djokovic in the final of the Miami Open last year, but the 20-year-old has now pulled out of the tournament around 24 hours before he was due to take to the court.

Djokovic and Mensik were scheduled to face off in the second night session match on Rod Laver Arena on Monday night. But on Sunday, the Czech star released a statement on Instagram explaining his decision to withdraw. “This is a tough one to write. 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. After a long discussions with my team and doctors we decided not to step on court tomorrow,” the No. 16 seed wrote.

“Even though I’m disappointed, making the 4th 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. Thank you to my team for being with me every step, and to everyone sending messages and cheering – it means more than you know. Now it’s time to recover properly.”

Further explaining the issue after his withdrawal, Mensik said: “Yeah, well, I mean, unfortunate decision to make for me. After last couple of matches, I started to feel worse, and actually the problem is my abdominal muscle on the left side.

“Like I said, last few matches it got significantly worse, and I think if I would step on the court tomorrow, it would be such a big risk for me for my next weeks, for my next tournaments, and actually for my health.

“The fact that my fourth-round match was to be against Novak on Rod Laver Arena makes it even more difficult. So, of course, I’m super sad not to step on the court and to compete against my idol and the G.O.A.T.

“So, yeah, it’s very tough. Like you said, I mean, reaching fourth round, second week of the Grand Slam for the first time, it’s something that I will take with me, for sure. Of course, I will do my best to come back again and to come back stronger.”

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The Serbian superstar was out for revenge after losing to Mensik in Miami last year. He’d previously beaten the world No. 17 at the 2024 Shanghai Masters. But Djokovic is now through to a 16th quarter-final at Melbourne Park.

Djokovic has yet to drop a set this week, winning his first three matches in straights. Aged 38, he will welcome the free pass into the last eight, giving his body extra time to recover for his quarter-final match, which will be played on Wednesday.

After saving set points in the third to beat Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3 6-4 7-6(4) on Saturday, the No. 4 seed shared his hopes of keeping up with the younger guys. And he’ll be fit and fighting for his quarter-final in three days’ time.

“I’m still trying to give these young guys a push for their money. I’m still around, I’m hanging in there. Obviously, Alcaraz and Sinner are the two best players in the world, they are playing on a different level from all of us,” he said.

“But when you enter the court and the ball rolls, you always have a chance, particularly here. Definitely the court that has given me the most in my career, so I look forward to the next battle.”