Novak Djokovic Unsure About Australian Open Future After Retiring Injured - UBITENNIS

Novak Djokovic Unsure About Australian Open Future After Retiring Injured

By Adam Addicott
5 Min Read
Novak Djokovic - Australian Open 2025 (photo X @rolandgarros)

Novak Djokovic’s bid for a record 11th Australian Open has ended with him getting booed off the court after he retired from his semi-final clash against Alexander Zverev.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion was involved in a tightly contested 82-minute opening set against Zverev which he lost 7-6(5). Djokovic, who had heavy strapping around his left leg, went to reach for a volley at set point down and hit the ball into the net. After losing that point, he approached Zverev to shake hands and end their match.

“It’s a muscle tear. Two years ago I managed it better, and on the court, it didn’t bother me as much. This time, that wasn’t the case,” Djokovic explained afterward.

“So in these kinds of instances I guess have you to try to do as much as you possibly can in the shortest amount of time, and that was the case.

“I had an extra day, so two days no match. So I thought it was going to be good enough maybe. But that wasn’t the case, unfortunately.”

There had been indications that the Serbian was hampered by a physical issue leading up to his match after he didn’t practice on Thursday. During his clash with Carlos Alcaraz earlier this week, he took a medical time out for his leg which he had taped and he was given painkillers. However, he went on to produce a comprehensive win over the Spaniard.

Djokovic admits he might not have pulled the plug on his match against Zverev if he had won the tiebreaker but admits it would have been a struggle for him to continue.

“If I won the first set, maybe I would try a few more games, half a set, maybe a set. I don’t know. It was getting worse and worse.” He said.

“I knew even if I won the first set, that it’s going to be a huge uphill battle for me to stay physically fit enough to stay with him in the rallies for another two, three, four hours.

“I don’t think I had that in the tank.”

Djokovic was bidding to become only the second man to win his 100th match at the Australian Open after Roger Federer. He would have also become the oldest man to reach the title match in Melbourne in what would have been his 38th Grand Slam final.

Despite being 37-years-old, the former world No.1 has repeatedly said he intends to continue his career on the Tour. However, for the first time, he admits that is it possible his latest Australian Open bid might have been the last of his career.

“There is a chance. Who knows? I’ll just have to see how the season goes.” He explained.

“I want to keep going but whether I’m going to have a revised schedule or not for the next year, I’m not sure.

“I normally like to come to Australia to play. I’ve had the biggest success in my career here. So if I’m fit, healthy, and motivated, I don’t see a reason why I wouldn’t come. But there’s always a chance (he won’t).”

Djokovic will return to Europe, where he will consult with his medical team about the best way to treat his latest injury. Optimistically saying he has had ‘success’ with quick recoveries in the past.

There is also the question of what the future holds for his partnership with Andy Murray who joined his team during the off-season. Murray agreed to support his former rival until at least the end of this tournament.

“‘I’ll definitely have a chat with Andy and thank him for being here with me.  Give him my feedback, which is, of course, positive, and see how he feels and we make the next step.” He said.

“We are still hotheaded and disappointed, so it’s kind of hard to switch the page and start talking about what the next steps are. I think we both need to cool off a little bit and then we’ll have a chat.”

It is the first time Djokovic has retired from a match since 2009 when he did so against Andy Roddick.

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