"Don’t boo a player when he's injured": Alexander Zverev calls for respect after Novak Djokovic's Australian Open retirement
ATP
Novak Djokovic unexpectedly retired after the first set of his Australian Open match against Alexander Zverev. The 24-time Grand Slam champion had shown no apparent physical issues, but moments after the set ended, it was announced that he would not continue.
The first set, which Zverev won [7-6(5)] following a rare unforced error by Djokovic, ended with the 37-year-old approaching the net to embrace Zverev. He then headed to the chair umpire to confirm his retirement, as the announcement echoed through the stadium, stunning fans.
The crowd's reaction included boos, reflecting their surprise at Djokovic's sudden withdrawal after more than 80 minutes of high-level play from both players.
During Zverev’s on-court interview, the German immediately addressed the audience before answering any questions. "The very first thing I want to say is, please guys, don’t boo a player when he goes out with injury,” Zverev began. “I know that everybody paid for tickets and wanted to see, hopefully, a great 5-set match, but you have to understand that Novak Djokovic is someone who has given this sport absolutely everything for the past 20 years.
“He has won this tournament with an abdominal tear; he has won this tournament with a hamstring injury. If he cannot continue a tennis match, it really means he cannot continue the tennis match. So please, be respectful and really show some love for Novak as well.”
Zverev now prepares for Sunday’s final, where he will face the winner of the night-session semifinal between Jannik Sinner and Ben Shelton at Rod Laver Arena.
Zverev on some of the crowd booing Djokovic after retiring from Australian Open
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 24, 2025
“Please guys don’t boo a player when he goes out with injury. I know everyone paid for tickets.. but Novak has given everything of his life to the sport the last 20 years”
pic.twitter.com/faY33oKgk5
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