Novak Djokovic had to leave the Australian Open 2025 during his semi-final match against Alexander Zverev on Friday. Djokovic retired after losing the first set 7-6 because of an injury he had from his earlier match against Carlos Alcaraz.
Djokovic Struggles with Injury
The match started with both players competing hard, but Djokovic struggled with long rallies. After losing the first set in a tiebreak, he walked to the net, shook Zverev’s hand, and decided to stop playing. The crowd gave a mixed reaction of boos and applause as Djokovic left the court.
Zverev Reaches His First Australian Open Final
Alexander Zverev will now play in his first Australian Open final. On Sunday, he will face either Jannik Sinner, the world number one, or Ben Shelton, the 21st seed from the USA.
Zverev, who has reached two Grand Slam finals before (2020 US Open and 2024 French Open), is aiming for his first major title. After recovering from a serious ankle injury, he has shown great form and determination, ending 2024 as the world number two.
Djokovic’s Records Delayed Again
This loss means Djokovic has now gone five Grand Slam tournaments without winning the 25th title he needs to break Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24. His last Grand Slam win was at the 2023 US Open. The defeat also kept him from winning his 100th career title, a milestone only Roger Federer (102 titles) has achieved so far.
Concerns About Djokovic’s Fitness
Before the match, Djokovic admitted he was worried about his fitness. He had needed medical treatment during his quarter-final win against Carlos Alcaraz. Although he started the match strongly, the injury became too much for him to continue.
Conclusion
Zverev’s win has set up an exciting final as he aims for his first Grand Slam title. Meanwhile, Djokovic’s quest for records remains uncertain as he faces challenges with age and fitness.