Tennis enthusiasts have expressed their frustration with Italian player Lorenzo Musetti, accusing him of lacking determination during his quarter-final match against Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open.

Musetti, who is 23 years old, withdrew from the match in the third set after leading with scores of 6-4 and 6-3. This decision marked a significant low point in his career, as an upper leg injury forced him to retreat, ending his hopes of reaching a Grand Slam semi-final at Melbourne Park in a disheartening manner.

Despite the visible devastation on Musetti’s face, many fans on social media were skeptical about the legitimacy of his withdrawal. They argued that he should have shown more resilience and played through the discomfort.

One critic on X noted, “Musetti retires way too easily. He doesn’t fight,” echoing a sentiment shared by several others who felt disappointed by what they perceived as a lack of tenacity from the Italian star.

‘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.’