4 months ago
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Novak Djokovic precocious to the Australian Open quarterfinals aft his fourth-round hostile Jakub Mensik withdrew due to an abdominal wounded connected Sunday (January 25, 2026), a day earlier they were scheduled to meet astatine Melbourne Park.
Czech 16th effect Mensik came done a choky clash with American Ethan Quinn 6-2 7-6(5) 7-6(5) connected Saturday (January 24), but the 20-year-old said helium had been carrying the wounded that volition forestall him from facing his idol Djokovic.
Djokovic, the 10-times Australian Open champion, volition proceed his quest for a record-extending Melbourne Park rubric and a 25th Grand Slam crown to surpass the grounds helium presently shares with Margaret Court.
"This is simply a tough 1 to write," Mensik said connected Instagram.
"After doing everything we could to support going, I person to retreat from the Australian Open owed to an abdominal musculus wounded that has progressed over the past matches.
"Now, it's clip to retrieve properly."
"Even though I'm disappointed, making the fourth circular present for the archetypal clip is thing I volition transportation with maine for a agelong time. I felt truthful overmuch vigor from the fans and the ambiance successful Melbourne was genuinely special." Mensik bushed Serb Djokovic successful past year's Miami Open final. Djokovic had taken the youngster nether his helping a fewer years ago.
"The information that my lucifer was to beryllium against Novak connected Rod Laver Arena makes it adjacent much difficult," Mensik said.
"I'm ace bittersweet not to measurement onto the tribunal and to vie against my idol and the G.O.A.T
." Fourth effect Djokovic volition look American Taylor Fritz oregon Italian Lorenzo Musetti successful the past eight, with a imaginable clash against defending champion Jannik Sinner successful the semifinals.
