Novak Djokovic and Lorenzo Musetti’s quarterfinal match is just a day away…
Neither player had much trouble in the fourth round, as they booked their spots in the last eight.
Djokovic didn’t even need to take to the court, benefitting from Jakub Mensik’s withdrawal, while Musetti defeated Taylor Fritz in straight sets.
Who has been the best player at the Australian Open so far?
They will now prepare to do battle on Rod Laver Arena for a place in the Australian Open semifinals.
However, preparations haven’t exactly gone to plan for either player.
Novak Djokovic and Lorenzo Musetti could both be without their coaches in the quarterfinals
Musetti has been without several team members during the Australian Open.
His head coach, Simone Tartarini, left early due to personal reasons, as did his physio, Damiano Fiorucci.
After winning his fourth-round match, Musetti shared his thoughts on the difficult situation.
“I have half of my team now here. I think we are doing a great job, because the week before the start of the tournament, a lot of things happened,” he said.
What has been the biggest upset at the Australian Open so far?
“Unfortunately, they weren’t that positive.
“We found a way, and that’s the most important thing.”
Lorenzo Musetti’s route to the quarterfinals
- 2026 Australian Open 1R [WIN] vs Raphael Collignon, 4-6, 7-6, 7-5, 3-2 (RET)
- 2026 Australian Open 2R [WIN] vs Lorenzo Sonego, 6-3, 6-3, 6-4
- 2026 Australian Open 3R [WIN] vs Tomas Machac, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 5-7, 6-2
- 2026 Australian Open 4R [WIN] vs Taylor Fritz, 6-2, 7-5, 6-4
Musetti may not be the only player without his coach, though, as Djokovic’s head coach, Boris Bosnjakovic, continues to struggle with illness.
As reported by SportKlub, the Serb has been ‘out of action’ since Djokovic beat Botic van de Zandschulp in the third round, and missed his latest practice session.
It’s unclear whether he will recover in time to take his place in Djokovic’s box for the quarterfinals.
Both Djokovic and Musetti can often be seen gesturing to their box during matches, venting to, or receiving advice from their coaching staff.
To be without their head coaches for the biggest game of either player’s season so far will have an impact, no doubt.
But which player will adapt best?
Novak Djokovic’s route to the quarterfinals
- 2026 Australian Open 1R [WIN] vs Pedro Martinez, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2
- 2026 Australian Open 2R [WIN] vs Francesco Maestrelli, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2
- 2026 Australian Open 3R [WIN] vs Botic van de Zandschulp, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6
- 2026 Australian Open 4R [WALKOVER]
Well, you’d have to give the edge to Djokovic, who has been there and done it, with several different coaches over the years.
The 10-time champion knows how to win in Melbourne, regardless of who is in his box.
Musetti, on the other hand, has been coached by Tartarini since he was eight years old, and likely trusts him more than anyone else.
To lose him for such a crucial match could well play a role in the outcome, but we will have to wait and see…
Novak Djokovic and Lorenzo Musetti’s head-to-head record
Djokovic and Musetti have met 10 times on the ATP Tour.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion leads their head-to-head 9-1, and has won each of their last six matches.
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2025 Hellenic Championship – F | Novak Djokovic | Lorenzo Musetti | 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 |
| 2025 Miami Open – 4R | Novak Djokovic | Lorenzo Musetti | 6-2, 6-2 |
| 2024 Olympics – SF | Novak Djokovic | Lorenzo Musetti | 6-4, 6-2 |
| 2024 Wimbledon – SF | Novak Djokovic | Lorenzo Musetti | 6-4, 7-6, 6-4 |
| 2024 French Open – 3R | Novak Djokovic | Lorenzo Musetti | 7-5, 6-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-0 |
| 2024 Monte-Carlo Masters – 3R | Novak Djokovic | Lorenzo Musetti | 7-5, 6-3 |
| 2023 Monte-Carlo Masters – 3R | Lorenzo Musetti | Novak Djokovic | 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 |
| 2022 Paris Masters – QF | Novak Djokovic | Lorenzo Musetti | 6-0, 6-3 |
| 2022 Dubai Tennis Championships – 1R | Novak Djokovic | Lorenzo Musetti | 6-3, 6-3 |
| 2021 French Open – 4R | Novak Djokovic | Lorenzo Musetti | 6-7, 6-7, 6-1, 6-0, 4-0 (RET) |
The Serb beat Musetti most recently at the 2025 Hellenic Championship.
Djokovic and Musetti put on a tennis clinic in Athens, producing some of their best stuff in a bid to win the title.
Musetti’s sole win over Djokovic came at the Monte-Carlo Masters three years ago.
Playing Djokovic in the third round, Musetti dropped the first set, but refused to be beaten.
The Italian fought back, taking the second and third sets, 7-5, 6-4, to pick up his first-ever win over a world number one.
Only time will tell if Musetti can narrow the head-to-head deficit to 2-9 when he plays Djokovic for a spot in the Australian Open semifinals.
Djokovic and Musetti will play their quarterfinal match on Wednesday, January 28.
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