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 in the fourth round, Jakub Mensik, withdrew from the Australian Open due to an abdominal injury. The 20-year-old Czech player was set to face Djokovic on Monday evening in Melbourne, but the match will now be a mere formality as Djokovic advances to the quarter-finals.
Djokovic will now face either the fifth seed, Lorenzo Musetti of Italy, or the American ninth seed, Taylor Fritz, in the last eight. This news comes after the withdrawal of two-time champion Naomi Osaka on Saturday, and other players, such as 2025 winner Jannik Sinner, have struggled in the intense heat, which is expected to reach a scorching 42C on Tuesday.
If the remaining matches proceed according to the seedings, the 38-year-old Serb Djokovic 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. Despite this, he remains confident and composed, as evidenced by his post-match comments after defeating Botic van de Zandschulp on Saturday.
"I feel really good," Djokovic said. "It's been a great start to the tournament. Of course, things can change, but I'm not getting ahead of myself. Last year, I learned my lesson. I got too excited too early in some Grand Slams, playing well and reaching the quarters and semis, only to get injured in three out of four matches."
Mensik, who had a remarkable run in the tournament, defeated Djokovic in the final of last year's Masters event in Miami, propelling him into the world's top 25. He then demonstrated his form by winning another tour title in Auckland, preparing for the Australian Open. Seeded 16th in Melbourne, Mensik was on track to make his fourth-round debut in a major for the first time in his career.
However, Mensik's journey took a turn for the worse as he announced his withdrawal on Instagram, citing an abdominal muscle injury that worsened over the past matches. After lengthy discussions with his team and doctors, they decided against playing the next day.
"This is a tough one to write," Mensik posted. "After giving it our all to keep going, I have to withdraw from the Australian Open due to an abdominal muscle injury that has worsened. After long discussions with my team and doctors, we decided not to step on court tomorrow. Even though I'm disappointed, making the fourth round here for the first time is something I will cherish for a long time. I felt the incredible energy from the fans, and the atmosphere in Melbourne is 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 impressive performance included victories over Spanish players Pablo Carreno Busta and Rafael Jodar, as well as American Ethan Quinn, before reaching the last 16.
