Melbourne, Australia — During the Australian Open semifinal on Friday, Novak Djokovic faced disappointment as he had to retire just one set into his match against Alexander Zverev. Spectators at Rod Laver Arena expressed their frustration by booing the 37-year-old champion as he made his way off the court following the decision to quit. Djokovic struggled with what he described as a torn muscle, losing the initial set 7-6 (5) after a forehand volley landed in the net. He promptly informed Zverev of his withdrawal, packed his belongings, and headed to the locker room, acknowledging the crowd’s jeers with a nonchalant thumbs-up gesture.

In a press conference afterward, Djokovic revealed that the discomfort in his taped left leg had worsened significantly. This injury was sustained during his quarterfinal match against Carlos Alcaraz earlier in the week. “I knew,” Djokovic stated, “even if I won the first set, it was going to be a huge uphill battle for me.” Aiming for his 11th Australian Open title and record 25th Grand Slam victory, Djokovic’s hopes were dashed as it will now be Jannik Sinner, the No. 1 seed and defending champion, who will face No. 2 Zverev in the finals.

Sinner, recovering from cramping in the third set, secured his place in the final by defeating No. 21 Ben Shelton of the United States 7-6 (2), 6-2, 6-2. The Italian star is seeking his third Grand Slam title and is currently on a remarkable 20-match winning streak. In contrast, Zverev, aged 27, is looking for his first major title after having been a runner-up in the U.S. Open and French Open finals previously.

“I still aim to compete with the elite players in these high-stakes tournaments and strive to win them,” Zverev remarked, noting the need for continuous improvement in his physical game. He also appealed to the fans to show respect for Djokovic, acknowledging his dedication to the sport for over two decades. “Everyone has paid for tickets and hopes for an exciting match, but you must realize that Novak Djokovic has contributed immensely to this sport,” he emphasized.

The first and only set of their matchup, which lasted 1 hour and 21 minutes, showcased intense rallies, with many points extending beyond nine strokes. The initial four games alone took 31 minutes, hampered by lengthy exchanges and Djokovic’s cautious pacing between serves, often utilizing the full 25-second time limit. The match was demanding, and for Djokovic, the difficulty was heightened due to an injury that had begun troubling him in the latter stages of his previous match.

“I didn’t hit the ball after my match against Alcaraz until roughly an hour before today’s game,” Djokovic shared. “I did everything possible to manage the muscle tear. The medications, taping, and physiotherapy provided some help today, but by the end of the first set, the pain became too much to bear.” Despite his disappointment, he emphasized that he had tried his best.

Zverev noted during the tiebreak that he could sense Djokovic was struggling, observing that the 37-year-old was perhaps not as resilient as usual. In a prior encounter at Melbourne Park, Djokovic had sustained a left hamstring injury but still emerged victorious. This time, however, he could not conjure the same magic.

After his exit, questions lingered about the future of Djokovic’s career at Melbourne Park. “It’s a possibility. Who knows?” he remarked regarding his potential last appearance at the venue. He indicated that he would evaluate his progress as the season unfolds and expressed uncertainty about how long he might be sidelined. As for his coaching collaboration with former rival Andy Murray, he admitted that clarity was lacking.

Djokovic remains committed to his goals, stating that despite recent injuries, he is not experiencing anxiety heading into future Grand Slam tournaments. “While statistics may not favor me in the recent past, I intend to keep pursuing further titles. As long as I have the desire to continue, I will remain in the competition,” he affirmed.