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Lorenzo Musetti explains ‘painful’ decision to retire from Novak Djokovic clash

Musetti pulled out after moving two sets up against Djokovic (Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/AP) — Musetti pulled out after moving two sets up against Djokovic (Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/AP) (AP)

Lorenzo Musetti retired from his Australian Open quarter-final match against Novak Djokovic due to a right leg injury on Wednesday.
The Italian player was leading Djokovic by two sets to love (6-4, 6-3) when he withdrew from the contest.
Musetti explained he felt “something strange” in his leg early in the second set, with the pain escalating in the third despite a medical timeout before he made the “really painful” decision to retire from the match.
He expressed profound disappointment, stating he had “no words” to describe the feeling of being forced to retire while on the verge of a significant victory.
Djokovic admitted Musetti was the “far better player” and that he was “on his way home”, expressing sympathy for his opponent's unfortunate withdrawal.

Lorenzo Musetti devastated by Australian Open retirement: ‘There are no words’ — In full