In a stunning turn of events at the Australian Open semifinals, Novak Djokovic (ranked 7th globally) exited the match abruptly after conceding the first set to Alexander Zverev (ranked 2nd) with a score of 7-6 (5). The Serbian tennis star, known for his resilience, chose to retire following a missed volley that handed the set to Zverev, marking an unexpected end to his campaign.
Djokovic’s withdrawal came on the heels of a grueling quarterfinal clash against Carlos Alcaraz (ranked 3rd),where he emerged victorious in four sets but sustained a left leg injury. This setback limited his ability to train adequately ahead of his semifinal showdown with Zverev, raising questions about his physical readiness for the match.
As Djokovic left the court, the crowd’s reaction was mixed, with a chorus of whistles punctuated by scattered applause. The 24-time Grand Slam champion responded with a touch of irony, marking his departure from a tournament he has dominated with 10 titles to his name. Zverev, meanwhile, urged the audience to show respect for Djokovic’s legacy and contributions to the sport.
every moment of the Australian Open is available for live streaming on Disney+ Premium.
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