Novak Djokovic Forced to Retire from Australian Open Semifinal vs. Alexander Zverev

Novak Djokovic withdrew injured after losing a problematic opening set to Alexander Zverev in his Australian Open semifinal, ending his campaign for a record 25th Grand Slam title today.

The 37-year-old Serbian great's upper left thigh was severely wrapped after injuring it in the quarterfinals, and he sought timeout after losing 7-6 (7/5).

He exited the Court to a mix of boos and praise from the crowd as Germany's Zverev advanced to his first Melbourne final.

Djokovic has now gone five Grand Slams without earning the trophy he needs to surpass Margaret Court's record of 24 and become the all-time leader.

In 2024, he failed to collect one for the first time in seven years, his most recent coming at the 2023 US Open, throwing additional doubt on whether he will ever move past Court.

The setback also denied him his 100th career title. Roger Federer (102) is the only male or female player to reach the century mark.

Zverev will face either world number one Jannik Sinner or American 21st seed Ben Shelton on Sunday.

The German has been a Grand Slam runner-up twice, at the French Open last year and the US Open in 2020, but he has never reached the final in Melbourne.

Last year, he lost in five sets to Daniil Medvedev after leading 2-0 in the semifinals.

But Zverev entered the season with newfound enthusiasm, having finished 2024 as world number two, winning more matches than anyone except Sinner, and returning to form after a devastating ankle injury.

Djokovic came into the match with doubts about his condition after requiring medical treatment in his four-set quarterfinal victory over Carlos Alcaraz.

Before the match, he expressed concern about his physical condition.

However, he has displayed exceptional healing abilities on multiple occasions throughout his career, which did not appear to limit him initially.

He moved with his usual quickness in an early service game that included a 27-shot rally, and he saved four break points after his serve misfired.

It was then Zverev's turn to preserve three break points and hold the match tied at 2-2 despite both players blowing hot and cold.

At 4-4, another break point went begging for the German, with Djokovic barely completing half of his first serves.

It proceeded to a close tiebreak, and Djokovic retired.