Ugly allegation gets levelled at Australian Open star after one of the worst moments in his career
Angry tennis fans have turned on Italian star Lorenzo Musetti, with some feeling he didn’t show enough fight during his quarter-final match against Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open.
In undoubtedly one of the worst moments of his career, the crestfallen star, 23, retired in the third set on Wednesday when up 6-4, 6-3.
Fifth seed Musetti felt he couldn’t continue due to an upper leg injury, and was visibly devastated as his chance to play in a Grand Slam semi-final at Melbourne Park ended in brutal fashion.
Djokovic – a 10-time winner at the Australian Open – knew it was a great escape and conceded post-match that Musetti was ‘a far better player’ on Rod Laver Arena.
But supporters on social media weren’t convinced, with many adamant the Italian wasn’t prepared to grit his teeth and play through the pain.
‘Musetti retires way too easily. He doesn’t fight,’ posted one on X.
Tennis fans have turned on Lorenzo Musetti, with some feeling he didn’t show enough fight on court during his quarter-final match against Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open
In undoubtedly one of the lowest points of his career, the crestfallen Italian retired after winning the first two sets in fine style
Musetti has been forced to retire injured in the second week of a Grand Slam on four occasions, including the semi-final of the 2025 French Open against Carlos Alcaraz
‘I don’t believe this for one second,’ another brutally said in response to Musetti explaining his injury to reporters.
Former US tennis star Brad Gilbert also couldn’t believe the outcome, posting on X he was ‘still trying to process’ it.
He also questioned why Musetti didn’t ‘wait for the pain killer tablets to kick in’ during the third set.
Musetti’s body failing him in majors is nothing new.
He has been forced to retire in the second week of a Grand Slam on four occasions, with three of those setbacks in the past 12 months, including the semi-final of the 2025 French Open against Carlos Alcaraz.
‘I felt there was something strange in my right leg,’ Musetti told reporters.
‘You know, I continued to play, because I was playing really, really, really well, but I was feeling the pain increasing, and the problem was not going away.
‘So then I took the medical time-out…'(But) when I started to play again, I felt even more (pain)…it was getting higher and higher the level of pain.
One tennis fan stated his view that ‘Musetti retires way too easily’ before questioning his fight
Tennis identity Brad Gilbert also tweeted he was ‘still trying to process’ Musetti retiring when in control of his quarter-final clash against Novak Djokovic
Another tennis fan bluntly posted he ‘didn’t believe’ that Musetti’s injury was so severe the Italian had no choice but to retire
A third felt previous stars on the professional circuit would have ‘died on court’ in a bid to win a Grand Slam quarter-final
World No.13 Holger Rune sympathised with Musetti, who he lauded for ‘listening to his body’
‘I honestly have no words to describe how I’m feeling right now…and how tough it is for me (injury) in this moment.’
Danish star Holger Rune defended Musetti, pointing out to tennis fans the outcome after he previously battled on with a leg complaint.
‘Look what happened to me when I pushed through a grade 1 tear in the leg. It cost me longer time away from tennis than ever before,’ the world No.13 posted on X.
‘Yes we want to fight at any cost and with pain, but I perfectly understand Musetti chose to listen to his body.’
