Jakub Mensik has withdrawn from the Australian Open a day before his fourth-round match against Novak Djokovic, citing an abdominal injury.
Mensik, seeded 16th at Melbourne Park this year, took to social media on Sunday to announce he was ‘disappointed’ to pull out of the tournament after a ‘long conversation’ with his team and doctors.
The Czech star was on a seven-match unbeaten streak in 2026 by winning the ASB Classic title in Auckland before emerging victorious in his first three matches at the Australian Open.
Having guaranteed the best Grand Slam finish of his career so far, Mensik was looking to go one step further and reach a maiden major quarterfinal by beating his idol, Djokovic.
It was not to be for the 20-year-old, who revealed he was ‘super sad’ about the lost opportunity to play the Serb.
Jakub Mensik reacts after withdrawing from the Australian Open
In a press conference immediately after his withdrawal, Mensik said: “The fact that my fourth-round match was to be against Novak on Rod Laver Arena makes it even more difficult.
How far do you think Novak Djokovic will go at the Australian Open?
“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.”
Mensik beat Djokovic in their last meeting on the ATP Tour, which came in the 2025 Miami Open final.
Novak Djokovic’s route to the final after Jakub Mensik’s withdrawal
Djokovic will now have an extra day to rest in his pursuit of winning a 25th Grand Slam title.
In the quarterfinals, the 38-year-old will take on either fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti, or former US Open finalist Taylor Fritz.
Should he advance to the semifinals Down Under, his most likely opponent will be defending champion Jannik Sinner, but he could be faced with Ben Shelton, Casper Ruud or Luciano Darderi.
There are some big hitters left in the top half of the draw, with Carlos Alcaraz, Alex de Minaur, Learner Tien and Alexander Zverev making up potential final assignments for Djokovic.
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Djokovic last won the Australian Open in 2023, when he defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final to secure his 22nd major.
His last Grand Slam title was also won that season, with Djokovic equalling Margaret Court’s all-time record by clinching number 24 at the US Open.
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