Novak Djokovic withdrew from the Australian Open semifinal against Alexander Zverev due to a leg injury after an intense first set. Zverev will advance to the final to face Jannik Sinner.
The crowd at Melbourne Park, gathered to witness the highly anticipated semifinal clash between Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev, was left in shock when the 24-time Grand Slam champion called it quits at the end of the first set. The unexpected turn of events left many fans bewildered and struggling to process what had just happened.
Injury Forces Djokovic’s Withdrawal
Although only one set was completed, it lasted a grueling 1 hour and 20 minutes, ending with a 7-6 score (7-5 in the tiebreak). This marathon set rivaled the duration of a full two-set match. Adding to the challenge, Djokovic had just come off a grueling four-set battle against Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals, leaving him visibly fatigued.
As Djokovic exited Melbourne Park to a mix of applause and scattered boos, the Serbian star explained that he began to feel discomfort in his left leg during the final point of the set. The injury was likely exacerbated by the physical toll of back-to-back high-stakes matches, which pushed his body to its limits. Despite his best efforts to prepare for the semifinal, Djokovic admitted that his body could no longer keep up after the demanding match against Alcaraz and the exhausting opening set against Zverev.
While Djokovic expressed his intent to compete for every title this season, his physical condition is becoming a critical factor in key moments. Just last year, he underwent surgery for a torn meniscus, an injury that sidelined him for part of the season. Now, the severity of this latest setback will determine his readiness for the next Grand Slam, which will see Djokovic at 38 years old.
Zverev Advances to Final Against Sinner
With Djokovic’s withdrawal, Alexander Zverev secured his place in the Australian Open final, where he will face none other than Jannik Sinner, currently considered the best player in the world.
