Novak Djokovic Retires Injured in Australian Open 2025 Semi-Final Against Zverev
- Abeera Marium Siddiqui
- January 24, 2025
- 1:22 pm
- 47
- Sports
Novak Djokovic retired mid-match in the Australian Open 2025 semi-final against Alexander Zverev, ending his bid for a 25th Grand Slam title. The match at Rod Laver Arena saw the Serbian star battling through pain but ultimately unable to continue.
Djokovic came into the match with his left leg taped due to a muscle tear from his quarter-final against Carlos Alcaraz. Despite this, he gave his all in the first set. It stretched to a tiebreak, which Zverev won 7-6 (7-5) after 80 minutes of intense rallies.
Djokovic's Struggle with Injury
As the match progressed, Djokovic’s movement slowed. After the first set, he walked to the net and shook Zverev’s hand, signaling his retirement. The crowd at Rod Laver Arena reacted with a mix of cheers and disappointment. Djokovic waved to the fans before leaving the court.
In a pre-match interview, Djokovic shared his concerns. “I tried everything to manage the muscle tear,” he said. But after the first set, he admitted, “The pain was too much. I knew I couldn’t go on for another three or four hours.”
Zverev Advances to the Final
With Djokovic’s retirement, Zverev reached his first Australian Open final. The German second seed will face either Jannik Sinner or Ben Shelton in Sunday’s final. Although Zverev has appeared in two Grand Slam finals before, he is still chasing his first major title.
Djokovic’s Grand Slam Record at Risk
Djokovic’s loss raises questions about his pursuit of the all-time Grand Slam record. He remains tied with Margaret Court at 24 titles. This was his fifth consecutive Grand Slam without a win. His last major victory was the 2023 US Open.
At 37, Djokovic also remains two titles short of joining Roger Federer in the 100-career-title club. Fans are left wondering if he can still compete at the highest level or if injuries will slow him down.
A Legacy of Resilience
Djokovic’s dedication to tennis is unmatched. Despite this setback, his career remains legendary. However, his injury at the Australian Open 2025 has cast doubt on when—or if—he will return to the top of the Grand Slam stage.
For More Such Blogs, Explore Genuine Gaze
