THE MIGHTY HAVE FALLEN: DJOKOVIC OUT AND ZVEREV IN AUSTRALIAN OPEN FINAL

Written by on January 25, 2025

Written by: Nolwazi Zondi

Novak Djokovic retired due to a muscle tear in the Australian Open semi-final, sending opponent Alexander Zverev through to the final at Rod Laver Arena on Friday. The 24-time Grand Slam champion called it quits after losing the first set 7-6 in 80 minutes.

“Towards the end of the first set I just started feeling more and more pain. It was too much for me to handle. I knew even if I won the first set, that’s it’s going to be an uphill battle for me,” said Djokovic.

The 37-year-old had powered through the quarter-finals against Carlos Alcaraz on Tuesday night despite the injury, but chose his health over the crown in the semi’s. The Melbourne fans had mixed emotions as some applauded and others booed the 10-time Australian Open champion.

His opponent was not impressed by this and pleaded with the crowd saying, “Please guys don’t boo a player when he goes out on injury. I know that everybody paid for tickets, but Novak Djokovic has given this sport absolutely everything of his life,” said Zverev.

When asked about coming back to Australia Djokovic said, “There is a chance. Who knows. I’ll just have to see how the season goes. I want to keep going.” The tennis living legend is leaving it all up to chance, fitness, health and motivation when it comes to his return.

Having just missed his 25th Grand Slam and 11th title at Melbourne, the Serbian leaves with his head held high as he takes a lot of positives from this tournament stating, “I actually thought I played very well, as well as I played the last 12 months, to be honest.”


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