Watch: Novak Djokovic booed as he retires midway through Australian Open semifinal against Alexander Zverev

Novak Djokovic’s quest for an 11th Australian Open title came to an abrupt end on Friday as the Serbian tennis legend retired midway through his semifinal clash against Alexander Zverev. Trailing 6-7(5) in the first set, Djokovic was forced to quit due to a torn muscle in his left leg, which had been heavily taped during the match.

Crowd Reaction:

As Djokovic walked off the court with a thumbs up, the crowd’s mixed reaction included boos, which drew criticism from Zverev. The German appealed to the spectators, saying, “Please guys, don’t boo a player when he goes out injured. There’s no guy on tour I respect more than Novak. He’s been one of my closest friends.”

Djokovic’s Journey:

The 24-time Grand Slam champion had reached the semifinals after defeating Carlos Alcaraz in a four-set thriller. At 37, Djokovic was aiming to secure his 11th Australian Open title and further cement his legacy in the sport.

Zverev’s Progress:

With Djokovic’s retirement, Zverev advances to his first Australian Open final. The German will face the winner of the second semifinal between defending champion Jannik Sinner and American Ben Shelton.

This marks a bittersweet moment for Zverev, who paid tribute to Djokovic’s sportsmanship and influence while focusing on his own opportunity to clinch his maiden Grand Slam title.