Novak Djokovic was irked by a section of the crowd at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena after retiring mid-game with an injury during Friday’s semi-final against Alexander Zverev. Djokovic’s upper left leg was taped badly again after sustaining an injury in his quarterfinal match against Carlos Al Caraz, and he decided to call it a day after losing the first set. It was an intense match as Novak had to endure long rallies against his younger opponent. But immediately after losing the set, he shook Zverev’s hand and walked out of the court as the crowd made the decision.
wow. Novak Djokovic gets drunk by some in the crowd after retiring in the second set vs. Zverev 🇷🇸.
All reports said his practice was also greatly disrupted. pic.twitter.com/xhojftd6z7
– Olly (@olly_tennis_) January 24, 2025
However, in the post-match interview, Zverev came to Djokovic’s defense and urged the crowd not to press him after the injury.
“The first thing I want to say is – don’t call a player when he is injured. I know everyone paid for the ticket and everyone wanted to see the big five-set match. But you have to understand, Novak Djokovic has been playing for the last 20 years. A man who gave everything to this sport.”
zverev in some crowd of Djokovic after retiring from Australian Open
“Don’t call a player when he’s injured. I know everyone paid for their tickets. But Novak has given everything of his life to sport over the past 20 years.”
– Tennis Letter (@thetennisletter) January 24, 2025
“He won this tournament with an abdominal tear and a hamstring tear. So if he can’t continue, it means he can’t continue playing tennis. So show respect and love,” Zverev said.
That means Djokovic has now gone five Grand Slams without winning the title needed to surpass Margaret Court’s 24 and become the all-time leader.
He came last at the US Open in 2023 and failed to collect one in 2024 for the first time in seven years, adding to doubts about whether he would ever make it past the court.
The loss also stripped him of his 100th career title. Roger Federer (102) is the only player, man or woman, to reach the century mark.
water flow‘s reward is a clash on Sunday against either No. 1 Jannik Sinner or American 21st Seed Ben Shelton.
The German has been runner-up at a Grand Slam twice before – at last year’s French Open and the 2020 US Open – but has never reached the final in Melbourne.
Last year, in the same semifinal, he fell to Daniil Medvedev in five sets after holding a 2-0 lead.
(including AFP input)
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