"I feel for him. He was clearly much better. I was on my way home tonight," Djokovic said during an on-court interview broadcast by Eurosport.
Musetti was leading 6–4, 6–3, 1–3 when the 23-year-old threw in the towel in his first Australian Open quarterfinal. The world number five had previously received medical treatment for his right leg.
"To be in a quarter-final of a Grand Slam, leading 2-0 and in full control - he should have been the winner today. Without a doubt," Djokovic said.
The 24-time Grand Slam winner will face world number two Jannik Sinner in the semifinals. The 24-year-old Italian, who has won the Australian Open the past two years, defeated American Ben Shelton 3-0 in sets (6-3, 6-4, 6-4).
