Zverev Advances to Australian Open Final as Djokovic Retires Injured

Alexander Zverev has secured his spot in the Australian Open final after Novak Djokovic retired due to a muscle tear during their semi-final clash on Friday. Djokovic, aiming for his 25th Grand Slam title, ended his match after losing the first set 7-6 (7/5), marking a significant setback in his illustrious career.

Djokovic’s Struggle and Uncertain Future

The 37-year-old Serbian tennis star, with his left leg heavily taped, had been struggling with fitness issues since the quarter-finals. Speaking after the match, Djokovic hinted at the possibility of this being his last appearance at the Australian Open.

“There is a chance. Who knows,” Djokovic said. “I normally like to come to Australia to play. I’ve had the biggest success in my career here. But there’s always a chance.”

Despite his physical struggles, Djokovic expressed optimism about his performance during the tournament, saying, “I actually thought I played really well… A lot of positives to take in terms of how I played.”

Zverev’s Redemption and Final Matchup

Zverev, who has been runner-up in two previous Grand Slam finals, now has a shot at his first major title. His opponent in Sunday’s final will be either world number one Jannik Sinner or American 21st seed Ben Shelton.

The German star expressed disappointment at the crowd’s mixed reaction to Djokovic’s retirement, urging fans to show respect. “Novak Djokovic is somebody that has given to the sport for the past 20 years absolutely everything of his life,” Zverev said.

A Setback for Djokovic

This loss marks Djokovic’s fifth consecutive Grand Slam without a title, leaving him tied with Margaret Court at 24 majors. His last victory was at the 2023 US Open, and the ongoing drought raises questions about whether he can surpass Court’s record.

With Zverev now chasing his maiden Grand Slam title and Djokovic’s future uncertain, all eyes are on the Australian Open’s finale.