Ten-time champion Novak Djokovic reached the Australian Open quarter-finals without striking a ball Sunday after his last-16 opponent Jakub Mensik withdrew.
The pair were due to play in a night match on centre court on Monday, but “super sad” Czech star Mensik pulled out with an abdominal injury.
His withdrawal means Djokovic will play Italian fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti or American ninth seed Taylor Fritz for a place in the semi-finals.
“Unfortunate decision to make for me,” said rising star Mensik, who beat American Ethan Quinn in three sets to set up the Djokovic clash.
“After the last couple of matches I started to feel worse, and actually the problem is my abdominal muscle on the left side.
“I think if I would step on the court tomorrow, it would be such a big risk for me for my next weeks, for my next tournaments, and actually for my health.
“The fact that my fourth-round match was to be against Novak on Rod Laver Arena makes it even more difficult,” added the 20-year-old.
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“So, of course, I’m super sad not to step on the court and to compete against my idol and the GOAT.”
Djokovic became the first player to win 400 Grand Slam matches when he swept past Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp in three sets to set up the Mensik match.
The 24-time Slam winner is in good form so far as he bids to shatter the recent dominance of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
Since his last Slam title, in 2023 at the US Open, Alcaraz or Sinner have shared all eight majors.