Perplexed Australian Open Crowd Relentlessly Boo Novak Djokovic Amid Sudden Retirement vs Alexander Zverev

And it just happened! Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam winner, who was eying the Slam number 25, couldn’t fight the battle with his injuries. On Friday, a struggling Djoker made a heartbreaking decision to withdraw from 2025 Australian Open semifinal. Playing against the German, he was trailing after losing the first set in a tie-break. But immediately after it, the Serbian opted to retire. Which means Zverev is off to his first Australian Open final. What followed was a mixture of jeers and cheers!

Plagued by a groin injury sustained in his quarter-final match against Carlos Alcaraz, the Serb appeared on court with his upper thigh concealed by both dark tape and a white bandage. The World No.2 was going toe-to-toe against Djokovic in the opening set. After an intense battle, he managed to take it with a score line of 7-6(5). With this Alex is set to appear for this third grand slam final. For Djokovic, the reaction of the crowd at the Rod Laver Arena was distasteful. Apparently, they booed him once he decided to retire midway.

Zverev had to intervene in between as he requested the fans to stop. “The very first thing I want to say is, please guys don’t boo a player when he goes out with injury,” he said, as reported by The Guardian on Friday. “I know that everybody paid for tickets and everybody wants to see, hopefully, a great five-set match and everything. But you’ve got to understand, Novak Djokovic is somebody that has given this sport for the past 20 years absolutely everything of his life.”

Djokovic addressed the booing from some sections of the crowd in comments to the Serbian media, “People came here, bought a ticket, expected a battle and they’re not satisfied. If you look at it from that perspective, I understand,” he said, in his native language translated to English. “I am trying to understand them and I don’t know if they understand me, or are at least willing to. I know what’s happening in my body, and I know how I feel, how much energy I’ve given this tournament over the last 20-plus years.”

John Millman, a former Australian tennis player and commentator for Channel Nine, criticized the crowd’s reaction: “It was only a small portion [of the crowd], but you don’t boo a champion,” he said, saying it was embarrassing and Djokovic – as perhaps the greatest player to have played on Rod Laver Arena – deserves respect.”

The crowd’s reaction may have something to do with what he did in the last match. Playing against Carlos Alcaraz in the QF round on Tuesday, the former World No.1 took an MTO (medical time-out) in the opening set when he was down 4-5. After resuming having taken a treatment by the medical team, he was playing as if he wasn’t injured in the first place. Despite his hamstring issue, he eventually won that encounter, raising doubts among many fans who thought he faked his injury. Now in the semifinal, a similar situation occurred, but he didn’t opt for the MTO. Why? Well, that’s something only Djokovic can clarify later.

But as for the outcome itself, it was a sort of foreshadowed. But how? On Thursday, it was revealed that Djokovic cancelled his practice sessions ahead of the SF match with Zverev. He did cancel his training on Wednesday, also. Undoubtedly, the reason was his hamstring. After the quarterfinal, he had dropped the signs too.

“I’m concerned. I am, to be honest, physically,” he said in a press conference. He made it clear that he’ll have “to assess the situation tomorrow when I wake up.” While he may have retired before the title clash, the Serbian did enjoy his run down under.

Novak Djokovic is “pleased with the way” he played in 2025 Australian Open

In his previous battle, the QF with four-time major winner Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, expressed his honest thoughts on his campaign. Per him, he’s “pleased with the way I was able to play throughout the entire tournament, including against one of the best players, one of the two or three best players in the word in the last three, four years.” Describing the victory over Alcaraz, the 37-year-old said, “It’s just a great win. I’m very proud of it.”

With the Australian Open behind him, the Serbian would like to focus on the remaining three majors in 2025. Djokovic’s recent retirement from the Australian Open semi-final due to injury marks his fifth consecutive Grand Slam tournament without winning the title he needs to surpass Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles. With a 25th trophy, the former World No.1 will become the player to win the highest number of Grand Slams among men and women. But will his injuries allow him to do that?

As of now, his hardcore fans will only wish a speedy recovery for their GOAT. Also, it will be intriguing to see how he takes the player-coach relationship with Andy Murray forward. They both had agreed for a partnership for the Happy Slam down under. Now that the event is over for him, will he continue to have the former British pro as his main trainer? It’s a crucial question.

But only Djokovic can throw light on it when he sees fit. Hopefully, he will get back on the court soon. What are your thoughts on his sudden retirement from the semifinal against Zverev? Let us know in the comments below.