Injured Novak Djokovic withdrew midway from his mens singles semifinal match of the Australian Open 2025

Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open 2025 campaign came to an early end, with injury forcing him out of his semifinal clash against Alexander Zverev of Germany on Friday, January 24th, 2025.

A muscle tear in left leg ended Novak Djokovics bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title as he withdrew midway from his mens singles semifinal match of the Australian Open 2025. Djokovic, struggling with the injury, lost the opening set 6-7 in one-hour and 21 minutes to Alexander Zverev.

However, soon after the first set concluded, Djokovic shook hands with the German and thus clearing the way for the world no. 2 to enter his maiden Australian Open final. Thus, Alexander Zverev enters the maiden Australian Open Final after Novak Djokovic retires hurt.

In fact, Novak Djokovic is arguably the greatesttennisplayer in history and the best Serbian sportsman of all time.Heis a professional tennis player from Serbia and is considered by many to be the greatest mens tennis player of all time. He holds the mens Grand Slam record with 24, making him the joint leader in the all-time list with Margaret Court.

Beginning the 2025 Season

Djokovic began his 2025 season in the Brisbane International, his first appearance there since 2019. Djokovics second tournament was the opening Grand Slam of the season the 2025 Australian Open. The Serb was in the spotlight once again as the 24-time Grand Slam champion was looking to extend his record 10 titles in Melbourne and break the all-time Grand Slam singles record.

Djokovic reached the quarter-finals with the drop of just two sets as his level increased over the fortnight. In the last eight, he beat Carlos Alcaraz in a captivating four-set classic to restamp his authority on the tournament where hes had most success. However, a thigh injury sustained in that match then forced the Serb to retire from his semi-final against Alexander Zverev to end hisAustralianOpen hopes for 2025.

As the Serbian was waving goodbye to the crowd having packed his bags, some fans started booing him. Djokovic later shared he understood the reaction:

What Djokovic said?

I dont know what to tell you. But people came here, paid for the tickets and expected a battle, and they didnt get it,” One of the top Australian news agencies quoted the 37-year-old as saying. If you look at it that way, I understand. At least Im trying to understand them. I dont know if they understand me or wish to understand me. I know whats in my body, what I feel, how much I gave of myself to this tournament in the past 20 plus years. Now Ill stop, so I dont continue down the wrong path.” Noteworthy, Djokovic defeated title favorite Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals.

Well, I didnt hit a ball since (the) Alcaraz match, so until like an hour before todays match. I did everything I possibly can to basically manage the muscle tear that I had. Yeah, medications and, I guess, the strap, and the physio work helped to some extent today. But towards the end of that first set I just started feeling more and more pain. It was, yeah, too much, I guess, to handle for me at the moment,” Djokovic said.

An unfortunate ending, but I tried. I cannot throw away all the incredible memories and results and achievements that I have achieved here over the years, just because this year, you know, I retired in the semi-finals,” he added.