Australian Open 2025: Novak Djokovic retires injured as Zverev reaches final

Alexander Zverev advanced to the Australian Open 2025 final after Novak Djokovic retired during their semifinal match at the Rod Laver Arena on Friday.

Before the match, the 37-year-old Serbian’s upper left leg was heavily taped after he hurt it during his quarterfinal match against Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz.

After losing the first set 7-6, the 10-time Australian Open champion shook hands with his opponent and was sent off to a chorus of boos from the crowd.

“The very first thing I want to say is, please, guys, don’t boo a player when he goes out with an injury,” Zverev said in his on-court interview.

“I know everybody paid for tickets and wants to see, hopefully, a five-set match. He has won this tournament with an abdominal tear and with a hamstring injury. So, please show some respect,” he added.

Djokovic has now gone five Grand Slams without winning a title, which he needs to surpass Margaret Court’s 24 and become the all-time leader.

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He moved with his customary zip in an opening service game that featured a 27-shot rally and again in saving four break points as his serve misfired.

It was then Zverev’s turn to save three break points and keep the match on serve at 2-2, with both players blowing hot and cold. Another break point went begging for the German at 4-4, with Djokovic barely getting 50 per cent of his first serves in.

It went to a tight tiebreak after which Djokovic retired.

This is the first time Zverev has reached the final of the Australian Open and only the third time he has made it to a Grand Slam summit clash.

Zverev will face the winner of the second semifinal between defending champion Jannik Sinner and Ben Shelton in the final on Sunday.