Djokovic is booed after he retires hurt against Zverev

Novak Djokovic retired from the Australian Open semi-final yesterday to a chorus of boos from sections of the Rod Laver Arena crowd as opponent Alexander Zverev called for respect” to be shown to the 10-time champion.

- JAMIE BRAIDWOOD

Djokovic immediately shook hands with Zverev upon losing the first-set tiebreak after struggling with a torn muscle in his upper left leg, sustained in his quarter-final comeback over third seed Carlos Alcaraz on Tuesday.

There were a few jeers from the crowd as the match ended far earlier than expected and the 37-year-old, who was bidding to become the oldest grand slam champion of all time in Melbourne, held his thumbs up as he departed the court.

Djokovic later admitted there was a chance that he would have played on if he won the first set but, with 82 minutes already on the clock, the Serbian said he did not have anything left in the tank to come from behind once again.

As Zverev was left on court having reached his first Australian Open final, the German second seed praised Djokovic and called for the crowd to be more “respectful” towards the 24-time grand slam champion, who later raised doubts over whether he would return in 2026.

“The very first thing I want to say is please don’t boo a player when he goes out injured,” said Zverev, who was forced to retire from a French Open semi-final against Rafael Nadal after tearing ankle ligaments three years ago.

“I know that everybody paid for tickets and wants to see a fiveset match but you have got to understand Novak Djokovic is somebody that has given this sport for the past 20 years absolutely everything in his life.

“He has won this tournament with an abdominal tear, won this tournament with a hamstring tear, if he feels he cannot continue a tennis match, he cannot continue a tennis match. So please guys, be respectful. Show some love for Novak as well.”

Djokovic played through a torn hamstring injury to win the Australian Open two years ago but said the pain was different this time.