A direct pass to number one
Novak Djokovic has a direct ticket to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. Jakub Mensik, his scheduled opponent, left the match due to an abdominal injury just 24 hours before the duel.
The tournament confirmed the withdrawal on Sunday night. The meeting was going to be this Monday at the Rod Laver Arena.
“After the last few games, I started to feel worse,” Mensik explained. “The problem is my left abdominal muscle. If I went out tomorrow, it would be a big risk for my health and future commitments.”
He is the second tennis player to retire due to this same discomfort in a few days, after Naomi Osaka also announced her withdrawal.
The path of the record continues
Djokovic reaches this stage after making history on Saturday: he became the first player to reach 400 victories in Grand Slam singles.
Now he has an unexpected night off to continue fine-tuning his game. And boy does he need it: he hasn’t won a major for two years, while Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner share the big titles.
The 38-year-old Serbian knows it. After his last game it was clear:
“Sinner and Alcaraz are playing at a different level right now,” he admitted. “But I’m still trying to give these young people a run for their money.”
His record in Melbourne is impressive: 10 Australian titles, 24 Grand Slams in total, and now he adds another mark with his 100th victory at this complex.
While Mensik recovers, Djokovic continues to advance. Without breaking a sweat this time, but with his mind set on what is to come: recovering that level that for so long was only his.
