Novak Djokovic’s hopes of a standalone record 25th Grand Slam title have been boosted after his fourth-round opponent Jakub Mensik withdrew from the Australian Open with an abdominal injury.
Djokovic was scheduled to face the 20-year-old Czech during Monday’s evening session in Melbourne but he will now progress straight through to the quarter-finals.
He will face either fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti of Italy or American ninth seed Taylor Fritz in the last eight.
The news follows the withdrawal of two-time champion Naomi Osaka on Saturday, while others – such as 2025 winner Jannik Sinner – have struggled in the heat, which is forecast to rise as high as 42C on Tuesday.
Should the remainder of the draw go with seedings, 38-year-old Serb Djokovic could then come up against Sinner in the semi-finals and world number one Carlos Alcaraz in the final.
His most recent Grand Slam success came at the 2023 US Open and he is currently level with Margaret Court on 24 major titles.
Djokovic, who is yet to drop a set at this year’s Australian Open, went out in the semi-finals of all four Grand Slams in 2025.
Speaking after his third-round win over Botic van de Zandschulp on Saturday, he said: “[I feel] really good. It’s been a great start to the tournament.
“Obviously things can change. I’m not getting ahead of myself because last year I learned a lesson.
“I got too excited too early in some of the Grand Slams, playing really well and getting to the quarters and semis, and then getting injured in pretty much three out of four last year.”
