Australian Open 2026: Novak Djokovic Advances to Quarter-Finals as Jakub Mensik Withdraws with Injury
Novak Djokovic's quest for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title received a significant boost after his opponent, Jakub Mensik, withdrew from the Australian Open due to an abdominal injury. Djokovic, who was set to face the 20-year-old Czech player in the fourth round on Monday evening, will now advance directly to the quarter-finals.
The Serb will now compete against either the fifth-seeded Italian Lorenzo Musetti or the ninth-ranked American Taylor Fritz. This news comes after the withdrawal of two-time champion Naomi Osaka on Saturday, and other players, such as 2025 winner Jannik Sinner, have faced challenges in the scorching heat, which is expected to reach 42C on Tuesday.
If the tournament progresses according to the seedings, Djokovic, aged 38, could potentially face Sinner in the semi-finals and the world number one, Carlos Alcaraz, in the final. Djokovic's last Grand Slam victory was at the 2023 US Open, where he tied with Margaret Court's record of 24 major titles.
Djokovic, who has yet to drop a set at this year's Australian Open, experienced a setback in 2025 when he was eliminated in the semi-finals of all four Grand Slams. In an interview after his third-round victory over Botic van de Zandschulp on Saturday, Djokovic expressed his satisfaction with the tournament's start, acknowledging the potential for change.
'I feel really good. It's been a great start to the tournament,' he said. 'Of course, things can shift. I'm not getting ahead of myself, as I learned my lesson last year. I got too excited early in some Grand Slams, playing exceptionally well and reaching the quarters and semi-finals, only to get injured in three out of four instances.'
Mensik, who defeated Djokovic in last year's Masters event in Miami, catapulted himself into the world's top 25 with that victory. He prepared for the Australian Open by winning another tour title in Auckland. Seeded 16th in Melbourne, Mensik was on track to make his fourth-round debut in a major. However, he announced his withdrawal on Instagram, citing an abdominal muscle injury that worsened over the past matches.
'This is a challenging post to write,' Mensik wrote. 'Despite our efforts to continue, I must withdraw from the Australian Open due to an abdominal muscle injury that has worsened. After lengthy discussions with my team and doctors, we decided not to play tomorrow. Although I'm disappointed, reaching the fourth round here for the first time is an achievement I'll cherish. The energy from the fans and the unique atmosphere in Melbourne have been truly special. Thank you to my team for their unwavering support, and to everyone who sent messages and cheers. It means more than words can express. Now, it's time to recover properly.'
Mensik's journey to the last 16 included victories over Spanish players Pablo Carreno Busta and Rafael Jodar, as well as American Ethan Quinn.
