Andy Roddick was left very disappointed by Novak Djokovic being booed off the court at the Australian Open.
The Serbian’s 2025 campaign at Melbourne Park came to an unfortunate end when he retired from his semi-final against Alexander Zverev.
The 37-year-old has lifted the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup while suffering injuries in the past, but on this occasion, Djokovic was not able to overcome a muscle tear in his leg.
Therefore, he stopped playing after losing the first set against Zverev, who reached his first Australian Open final as a result.
Andy Roddick criticises those who booed Novak Djokovic off the court at the Australian Open
Following Novak Djokovic’s decision to retire from his Australian Open semi-final, the Rod Laver Arena crowd were not happy.
Boos and jeers came from the spectators as Djokovic gave them a thumbs and walked off the court.
Many within the tennis world have criticised the crowd’s response to Djokovic’s injury retirement, and now Andy Roddick has voiced his frustrations.
“I thought it was so s—— to boo someone who has won 10 times there and you don’t know if they are going to come back,” Roddick said via his ‘Served podcast’.
“I thought it would really suck if Novak’s last memory in a place that he has been dominant, where we have seen excellence from him that we probably take it too much for granted, to him being booed off the court and a quick goodbye and a wave. That kind of sucks.
“You hope that he has that beautiful sunset in a place where he has provided so much excellence. Maybe we disagree with some stuff, that’s fine, but what you can’t do is disrespect excellence.
“We can’t be petty when someone is hurt. Do you think Novak wanted to walk off the court there? No! I felt sad for him and for tennis and this tournament, getting booed off the court because you don’t think you can deliver the product or a win.”
Novak Djokovic responds to being booed at the Australian Open
Djokovic’s chance to win a record 25th Grand Slam and 11th at the Australian Open came to an end in the most disappointing way.
Djokovic suffered injury against Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals, but managed to fight through it and defeat the Spaniard in four sets.
But it was one step too far against Zverev, and Djokovic was unsure how to react to being booed off the court.
“I don’t know what to say. People have come and paid for the tickets expecting a great match and a big fight, which they didn’t get,” Djokovic told Serbian media in his post-match press conference.
“From that perspective, I can understand. I am doing my best to understand them, but I am not sure whether they understand me or if they even want to.”
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