Featured Image Credit: Australian Open/Eurosport
Topics: Novak Djokovic, Tennis, Australian Open
Marcus Chan
Topics: Novak Djokovic, Tennis, Australian Open
Novak Djokovic has responded after being booed off on the back of his retirement from his Australian Open semi-final match.
On Friday, Djokovic continued his quest for a 25th Grand Slam title as he took on German Alexander Zverev in the semi-final of the 2025 Australian Open.
However, due to injury, the 37-year-old Serbian was forced to retire after dropping the first set 7-6 (7-5).
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Djokovic's fitness was already the talk of the town prior to the clash after he had treatment during his quarter-final win over Carlos Alcaraz.
As Djokovic walked off the Rod Laver Arena, a section of fans was heard booing the tennis legend.
Speaking about the reception he received, Djokovic said during his press conference: "I don’t know what to say. People have come, they paid for the tickets expecting a great match and a big fight, which they didn’t get.
"From that perspective, I can understand. I am doing my best to understand them, but I am not sure whether they understand me or if they even want to understand me."
He continued: "I know how my body works, what I feel, and I know how much I’ve given to this tournament in the past 20-plus years. I will stop here, so that I don’t continue (speaking) in the wrong direction (wry smile)."
While commentating on the match, tennis great John McEnroe branded the crowd behaviour as 'ludicrous'.
He said: "They can't possibly be booing him. Please! He's won this ten times, for God's sakes. Unreal.
"I mean, him and Rafa [Nadal] have dug deeper than any two players I have seen. So to do that [boo] because he decided that he couldn't go on after what he's done here I thought was absolutely ludicrous, honestly. That was almost as depressing as seeing the end of the match."
When asked about his injury, Djokovic added: "Look, it’s a muscle tear. Two years ago, you know, I have managed it better. On the court it didn't bother me as much. This time that wasn't the case."
Number two seed Zverev will now take on world number one Jannik Sinner in Sunday's final.
In the women's draw, two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka will face American Madison Keys in the final on Saturday.