The first set alone lasted a grueling 80 minutes, with Djokovic battling through while his upper left leg was heavily taped. Despite his efforts, the physical toll of the injury proved insurmountable.
“I Did Everything I Could”
Speaking after the match, Djokovic expressed his disappointment but acknowledged the severity of his condition.
“I did everything I possibly could do to manage the muscle tear that I had,” said Djokovic, who was also aiming to secure his 25th Grand Slam title, an all-time record.
“Towards the end of that first set, I just started feeling more and more pain. It was too much to handle for me,” he added.
Djokovic’s frustration was evident when he missed a volley on set point, giving Zverev the opening set. Rather than continue, Djokovic approached Zverev, shook his hand, and signaled his withdrawal.
Despite audible boos from some sections of the Rod Laver Arena crowd, Djokovic maintained his composure, waving and giving a double thumbs-up as he exited the court.
Uphill Battle
Djokovic acknowledged that even had he won the first set, it would have been nearly impossible for him to sustain the level of physical fitness needed for the remainder of the match.
“I knew even if I won the first set, that it’s going to be a huge uphill battle for me to stay physically fit enough to stay with him in the rallies for two, three, four hours,” said Djokovic.
“I don’t think I had that today in the tank,” he admitted.
Zverev Advances to Final
Zverev, the German second seed, now advances to the final, where he will face either Italian top seed Jannik Sinner or American 21st seed Ben Shelton.
For Zverev, the win marks another step in his pursuit of a maiden Grand Slam title after previously falling short in two major finals.
Djokovic’s withdrawal, while disappointing for fans, highlights the physical demands of competing at the highest level of tennis, especially for players dealing with injuries.
A Missed Milestone
Djokovic’s exit denies him the chance to extend his Australian Open dominance and claim a 25th Grand Slam title, which would have set an all-time standalone record. Nevertheless, his career remains a testament to his unparalleled determination and success on the tennis court.
As Zverev looks forward to his first Grand Slam title, Djokovic will shift his focus to recovery and preparation for future tournaments.
