Novak Djokovic retired injured after losing the first set 7-6(5) to Alexander Zverev in the Australian Open semi-final on Friday. The German now advances to his first Australian Open final, where he will face the winner of the Jannik Sinner and Ben Shelton match on Sunday.
Djokovic, chasing a record 25th Grand Slam title, entered the match with his left thigh heavily strapped, fueling pre-match concerns about his fitness. Despite showing no clear signs of discomfort early on, he began to visibly struggle toward the end of the set, moving sluggishly and appearing frustrated.
After dropping the set, Djokovic informed Zverev and the umpire that he could not continue, exiting Rod Laver Arena to a chorus of boos from the crowd. Zverev addressed the audience during his on-court interview, urging respect for Djokovic.
“The very first thing I want to say is, please guys, don’t boo a player when he goes out with injury,” Zverev said. “He has won this tournament with an abdominal tear, won this tournament with a hamstring injury. So please show some respect.”
Zverev now aims to capture his first Grand Slam title in the final. Meanwhile, Djokovic’s quest for his 25th major remains on hold, marking another frustrating exit for the Serbian star at Melbourne Park.
Zverev at the Australian Open, ranking, and results in 2025
Ranked world no.2 (career-high), the German owns a compiled 7-0 win-loss record in 2025. Zverev is competing at the Australian Open where he conquered the world no.103 Lucas Pouille 6-4 6-4 6-4, the world no.44 Pedro Martinez Portero 6-1 6-4 6-1, the world no.92 Jacob Fearnley 6-3 6-4 6-4, the world no.14 Ugo Humbert 6-1 2-6 6-3 6-2, the world no.11 Tommy Paul 7-6(1) 7-6(0) 2-6 6-1 and the world no.7 Novak Djokovic 6-7(5) ret. (Djokovic ret.).
He is also scheduled to play in Buenos Aires (Argentina Open) on the 10th of February and Rio De Janeiro (Rio Open) on the 17th of February.
Djokovic at the Australian Open, ranking, and results in 2025
Currently the world no.7, the Serbian has achieved a compiled 7-1 win-loss record in 2025. The Serbian is now playing at the Australian Open where he bested the world no.107 Nishesh Basavareddy 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-2, the world no.125 Jaime Faria 6-1 6-7(4) 6-3 6-2, the world no.25 Tomas Machac 6-1 6-4 6-4, the world no.29 Jiri Lehecka 6-3 6-4 7-6(4), the world no.3 Carlos Alcaraz 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 and the world no.2 Alexander Zverev 6-7(5) ret. (Djokovic ret.).
The Serbian won 99 titles in his career: 52 on hard courts, 20 on clay courts, 19 on indoor courts and 8 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
He is also scheduled to play in Doha (Qatar ExxonMobil Open) on the 17th of February and () on the 29th of December.
Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic fought against each other 12 times. Their head to head is 8-4 for Djokovic. The last time they played each other, Novak Djokovic won 7-6(5) 7-5 in the semifinal in Cincinnati (Western & Southern Open) in August 2023.
In the video below you can watch the highlights.
Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic |
| Embed from Getty Images |
