Novak Djokovic showcased his class on Wednesday, delivering a remarkable display of sportsmanship in his Australian Open quarter-final clash against Lorenzo Musetti in a moment that was easily missed in the chaos of his opponent's retirement when the Italian led two sets to love.
The match ended abruptly when Musetti quit because of an injury, the world No.5 deciding he couldn't continue despite leading 6-4, 6-3, 1-3.
His retirement handed Djokovic a spot in yet another Australian Open semi final under bittersweet circumstances.
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During the second set, Djokovic stunned the crowd with an incredible act of sportsmanship.
Down a set and trailing 5-3 in the second, the fourth seed found himself serving for survival when, during a pivotal rally, he rushed the net in a vain effort to put away a volley.
Musetti countered with a cross-court passing shot that went wide by a fraction, seemingly handing Djokovic the point to go up 40-15.
However, instead of accepting the call, Djokovic immediately alerted the chair umpire that he had feathered the ball before it landed, insisting the point be awarded to Musetti instead.
"No, no, no, I touched it," Djokovic told chair umpire James Keothavong.
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The move earned immediate praise from the commentary box.
"I didn't see that," John McEnroe said during Nine's broadcast.
Fellow commentator Brenton Speed added: "Oh wow. What a sporting gesture that was from Novak Djokovic, alerting the umpire to a touch."
Djokovic's honesty was capitalised upon moments later as Musetti broke serve, seizing the second set 6-3 and taking complete control of the match.
However, the momentum quickly shifted in the third set.
The Italian was forced to retire with a suspected muscle tear to his upper right leg, an injury that left him barely able to move across the court.
Speaking afterwards, Djokovic was humble, conceding he would almost certainly have lost the match had Musetti not been hurt.
His humility and empathy drew a round of applause from the crowd.
"I don't know what to say, except that I feel really sorry for him," Djokovic said.
"He was a far better player. I was on my way home tonight. I don't know what to say. I mean, these kinds of things happen in sport, and it happened to me a few times.
"But being in the quarters of a grand slam, two sets to love up and being in full control … so unfortunate, I don't know what else I can say.
"I really wish him a speedy recovery, and he should have been a winner today."
The retirement followed a walkover in the fourth round, with Djokovic acknowledging to media in his press conference after the Musetti match that he had been blessed by the tennis gods in this tournament.
"I'm going to double my prayers tonight for sure, and gratitude to the god for giving me this opportunity once again," he said.
"I'm going to do my best in a couple of days to use it."
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