Novak Djokovic has retired from his Australian Open semi-final against Alexander Zverev after struggling with injury. The Serbian star, who turns 38 this May, began the match hopeful of competing for his record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title, but he was forced to withdraw after losing the first set on tiebreak.
The match, played on January 23, 2025, at the Rod Laver Arena, saw Djokovic immediately acknowledge his struggles. Following his uncharacteristic error—a simple volley he put wide on set point—he shook hands with Zverev, marking the end of his campaign.
Djokovic, visibly out of sorts, managed only 81 minutes before retiring, showcasing the toll of his injury, which first emerged during his quarter-final against Carlos Alcaraz. Just moments before the tiebreak, Djokovic admitted he was concerned for his health and had skipped training sessions leading up to the semi-final, fearing his left thigh would not hold up under pressure.
While showing glimpses of his trademark brilliance, the defending champion struggled to maintain the intensity needed against the second-seeded Zverev. Djokovic led the head-to-head with the German 8-4 prior to this latest clash, but his physical limitations diminished his ability to respond effectively on court.
Later on, Zverev reflected on the match and the challenges he faced against Djokovic, saying, "I actually thought it was quite a high level first set. I mean of course you notice some difficulties... But look, I’m happy to be in the final of the Australian Open, through to the final of a Grand Slam.” Indeed, Zverev's praise for Djokovic's game was notable, as he expressed his hope for the match to continue.
Zverev also addressed the crowd's reaction when Djokovic retired, urging them to show respect for his opponent. He added, "Please guys, don’t boo a player when he goes out with an injury... you got to understand Novak Djokovic is somebody who for the past 20 years hasgiven his life to tennis." This mature response highlighted not only Zverev’s respect for Djokovic but also the class with which both players handled this poignant moment.
This retirement ended Djokovic's quest for his twelfth Australian Open title, and 25th Grand Slam overall, leaving fans and analysts to ponder the future of one of tennis's all-time greats. During the post-match press conference, Djokovic was asked whether this could be his final Australian Open. "There is a chance, who knows. I will have to see how the season goes. I want to keep going but... if I’m fit, healthy, motivated, I will always come here," he stated, leaving the audience intrigued about his next moves as he contemplates his future on the circuit.
Looking back at Djokovic's path leading to this semi-final, he demonstrated resilience throughout the tournament, initially struggling to find form against lower-ranked opponents. After dropping sets early against Nishesh Basavareddy and Jaime Faria, he found his winning rhythm against Tomas Machac and Jiri Lehecka, culminating with a hard-fought victory over Alcaraz. Yet, the physical toll of the previous matches caught up with him at the most pivotal moment.
Zverev, on the other hand, progressed steadily through the tournament, showing remarkable consistency. After defeating Lucas Pouille and Pedro Martinez with relative ease, he faced slightly tougher competition against Ugo Humbert and Tommy Paul, dropping only one set throughout the tournament leading up to the semi-finals.
The semifinal between Djokovic and Zverev was billed to be one of high stakes, with the latter aiming for his first Grand Slam title. Djokovic's departure shifted the narrative, refining Zverev’s path to the final, where he will face either Ben Shelton or defending champion Jannik Sinner.
Though fans were deprived of what could have been another epic showdown, the sportsmanship displayed by Zverev and the respect players showed one another bore witness to the spirit of tennis. With Djokovic's uncertain future and Zverev's rising profile, the Australian Open continues to deliver drama as the tournament progresses.