Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open quarter-final opponent, Lorenzo Musetti, has warned the Serb that he is looking for “revenge”. The two players have met 10 times previously, with Musetti’s only victory coming on clay at the 2023 Monte Carlo Masters. 

Djokovic is yet to drop a set at this year’s tournament Down Under and received a bye through to the last eight after his fourth-round opponent, Jakub Mensik, withdrew through injury. Musetti, meanwhile, saw off Taylor Fritz on Monday after needing five sets in his third-round match to beat Tomas Machac in the searing Melbourne heat.

Wednesday’s match between the two players will be their first meeting since a dramatic Athens final in November, which Djokovic won in three tight sets to claim his 101st title. The former world No.1 is chasing an outright record 25th Grand Slam title this fortnight while Musetti is seeking his first.

And the Italian has issued a warning to Djokovic ahead of their meeting this week. Speaking after his win over Fritz – the world No.5 raised his recent meeting with the 24-time Grand Slam winner and the extra days off he has had since Mensik withdrew.

He said: “Playing against Novak is always challenging, especially here, where he has won many times. I think it will be a tough match, for sure. Of course, he’s feeling good. He hasn’t lost a set.

“He had the chance to rest for a few days. I think at this age, I think he was happy about it, of course, to try to be well-prepared and well-relaxed for this match.

“But of course, we know each other pretty well because we played a lot. Just won once against him.

“Hopefully, I’ll take my revenge, because last time in Athens we were really, really close. I feel like I have another chance now.”

The 23-year-old also addressed what makes Djokovic such a difficult opponent and what his approach will be against the 10-time Aussie Open winner.

He added: “One for sure, facing his character, his status as a player and as a champion. The second one, the way he turns around sometimes difficult situations, raising his level, never escaping from a match. Those are the two things I guess that always Novak does.

“I think the thought that I have and the mentality that I have to put on the court in the next match against Nole is probably that one, trying to go for winning the match and not playing the match. I feel ready to try to push him to his maximum.”