Novak Djokovic booed by fans after retiring from Australian Open semi-final
Novak Djokovic booed by fans after retiring from Australian Open semi-final
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Novak Djokovic was booed off court by a section of disgruntled fans after he was forced to pull out of his Australian Open semi-final against Alexander Zverev. The 37-year-old’s fitness had been a matter of intense speculation ever since his momentous win over Carlos Alcaraz earlier this week.
![[Alexander Zverev, right, of Germany is embraced by Novak Djokovic of Serbia after Djokovic retired in their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_237128926-7f49.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Djokovic arrived on court wearing heavy strapping on his thigh and initially appeared to be showing no ill-effects. A cagey set full of long rallies saw both men have chances to break, with Zverev unable to take five break points across two games but recovering from 0-40 in the fourth game.
![[MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 24: Novak Djokovic of Serbia acknowledges the crowd as he leaves the court after retiring from the Men's Singles Semifinal against Alexander Zverev of Germany during day 13 of the 2025 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 24, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_237128982-15a9.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
It was nip and tuck in the tie-break as well until Djokovic netted an easy volley at 5-6 to hand Zverev the set after 80 minutes. It seemed like the contest was just getting started, but instead Djokovic headed straight to Zverev to shake hands before walking off court to a mixture of jeers and cheers.
![[Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ella Ling/Shutterstock (15108785y) Andy Murray, coach of Novak Djokovic Australian Open, Day Thirteen, Tennis, Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - 24 Jan 2025]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_237129820-deb8.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
The German, who will play in a third grand slam final as he continues to chase a first title, immediately jumped to his opponent’s defence, saying: ‘The very first thing I want to say is please don’t boo a player when he goes out injured. ‘I know that everybody paid for tickets but Novak Djokovic is somebody that has given this sport for the past 20 years absolutely everything of his life.
‘He has won his tournament with an abdominal tear, won this tournament with a hamstring tear, if he feels he can’t continue a tennis match, he can’t continue a tennis match.”. Zverev admitted he was as surprised as the crowd to see Djokovic throw in the towel, saying: ‘I thought it was quite a high level first set. Of course, the longer you continue, the worse it can get and maybe he was not moving as well in the tie-break.
