Australian Open: Djokovic leaves the semi-final with Zverev injured – Cheers from the audience

His effort had an inglorious end Novak Djokovic for the 25th Grand Slam title of his career. The Serbian tennis player left the semi-final with Sasha Zverev due to injury, which has been bothering him since yesterday’s quarter-final against Carlos Alcarath.

After the first set, which he lost 7-5 to his 27-year-old German opponent, the 37-year-old could not continue with a portion of the crowd booing and Zverev reacting.

Not how we wanted your campaign to end, @djokernole.

Thank you for another wonderful Australian summer. Well played and best wishes for a speedy recovery.#AO2025 pic.twitter.com/d5VJ6YNBeN

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2025

“I know that people have paid an expensive ticket and wanted to see a great semi-final, but it is not fair to boo such a great tennis player, who has given his all for tennis for the last 20 years. Please show respect to an athlete when they are out with an injury“, emphasized Zverev, who now awaits an opponent in Sunday’s final from the pair of Yannick Sinner and Ben Shelton.

Zverev on some of the crowd booing Djokovic after retiring from the Australian Open

“Please guys don’t boo a player when he goes out with an injury. I know everyone paid for tickets.. but Novak has given everything of his life to the sport the last 20 years”

pic.twitter.com/faY33oKgk5

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 24, 2025

“Nole” himself stated after the match: “After the Alkarath match I didn’t even hit a ball. I did everything possible. Physiotherapy, medication and bandaging in the area. They helped to get me going, but towards the end of the first set I was in more and more pain. It was unbearable and I couldn’t stand it“, he said.

Asked if this was the last Australian Open for him he replied: “I don’t know. There is a possibility. Who knows? I’ll have to see how the year goes. I want to continue. I’ll see how my calendar adjusts next. I’m not sure».