Australian Open 2026: Novak Djokovic into last eight as Jakub Mensik withdraws with injury

Novak Djokovic’s hopes of a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title were boosted after his fourth-round opponent Jakub Mensik withdrew from the Australian Open due to an abdominal injury.

Djokovic was scheduled to face the 20-year-old Czech in Monday evening’s session in Melbourne but will now advance directly to the quarter-finals.

He will face either Italian fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti or American ninth seed Taylor Fritz in the last eight.

If the rest of the draw continues with the qualifications, the 38-year-old Serbian will be able to face Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals and world number one Carlos Alcaraz in the final.

Her last Grand Slam success came at the 2023 US Open and she is now level with Margaret Court on 24 major titles.

Djokovic, who has not yet dropped a set at this year’s Australian Open, reached the semi-finals of all four Grand Slams in 2025.

Speaking after his third round victory over Botic van de Zandschulp on Saturday, he said:[I feel] really good. It was a great start to the tournament.

“Of course, things can change. I can’t get over myself because I learned a lesson last year.

“In some Grand Slams, I got excited very early, played very well, got to the quarters and semi-finals, and last year I got injured in almost three out of four matches.”