The Czech ‌16th seed, Mensik, came through a tight ‌third-round clash against American Ethan Quinn, with a 6-2, 7-6(5), 7-6(5) win on Saturday, but the 20-year-old said he had been carrying an ⁠injury that prevented him from facing his mentor, Djokovic.

Djokovic, ‌the 10-time Australian Open champion, will now continue ​his quest for a record-extending Melbourne Park title and standalone 25th Grand Slam crown to break the tie with Margaret Court.

"This is a tough one to write," Mensik said on ‌Instagram.

"After doing everything we could to keep going, I have to withdraw from the Australian Open due to an abdominal muscle injury ⁠that has progressed over the last matches.

"Now, it's time to recover properly."

"Even though I'm disappointed, making the fourth round here for the first time is something I will carry with me for a long time. I felt so much energy from the fans and the atmosphere in Melbourne was truly special."

Serb Djokovic was beaten by Mensik the ⁠last time the duo faced off, in ‌the Miami Open final last year.

The fourth seed faces American Taylor Fritz or Italian Lorenzo Musetti in the quarter-finals, with a potential clash against defending champion Jannik ⁠Sinner in the semi-finals.