Novak Djokovic responds to fans who booed him off court at the Australian Open following retirement against Alexander Zverev

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Novak Djokovic retired injured after the first set of his Australian Open semi-final against Alexander Zverev.

The Serb was looking to reach the Australian Open final for the 11th time, having lost to Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals of last year’s tournament.

Djokovic had beaten Carlos Alcaraz in the last eight but suffered an injury during the match that had many questioning his fitness.

He wasn’t 100% sure of how he would feel, as Djokovic admitted he was ‘concerned’ ahead of his semi-final clash with Zverev.

The early signs looked good for the world number seven, however, as he battled in a competitive first set with Zverev, which went to a tiebreak.

Zverev clinched the breaker 7-5, prompting Djokovic to retire from the match, with his injury troubling him more than he had perhaps let on.

Boos could be heard around Rod Laver Arena, as the ATP Tour legend exited the tournament, with Djokovic now giving his thoughts on how the crowd reacted.

Novak Djokovic says he ‘can understand’ why fans booed him after retiring injured at the Australian Open

During his Serbian press conference, Djokovic was asked for his thoughts on the crowd booing him as he left the court.

“I don’t know what to say,” he said.

“People have come, they paid for the tickets expecting a great match and a big fight, which they didn’t get.

“From that perspective, I can understand.”

He doesn’t however think that the fans are making the same effort to understand his side of things.

“I am doing my best to understand them,” said Djokovic.

“But I am not sure whether they understand me or if they even want to understand me.

“I know how my body works, what I feel, and I know how much I’ve given to this tournament in the past 20-plus years.

“I will stop here, so that I don’t continue [speaking] in the wrong direction.”

Djokovic’s retirement against Zverev was just his seventh mid-match at a Grand Slam tournament, since his debut in 2005.

Novak Djokovic thinks he played ‘really well’ at the Australian Open despite semi-final retirement

Having fallen at the semi-final stage at Melbourne Park for the second year running, Djokovic would be forgiven for expressing frustration after the match.

Instead he reiterated that the tournament had been a big step forward, as his search for a 25th Major title continues.

“I actually thought I played really well, as well as I played the last 12 months, to be honest,” said Djokovic.

“I liked my chances if I was physically, yeah, fit and ready to battle.

“Of course, it was never going to be an easy battle, an easy match for me, neither it was for Sascha [Zverev], even if I was not injured.

“But as I said, I think I was striking the ball very well, a lot of positives to take in terms of how I played semi-finals.”

The result was one of his best at the Grand Slam level over the past 12 months and a marked improvement on Djokovic’s early exit at the US Open last year.

• 2024 Australian Open – Lost in SF to Jannik Sinner
• 2024 French Open – Withdrew ahead of QF
• 2024 Wimbledon – Lost in F to Carlos Alcaraz
• 2024 US Open – Lost in 3R to Alexei Popyrin
• 2025 Australian Open – Lost in SF to Alexander Zverev.

He may have appreciated taking a step forward, but Djokovic was still not satisfied, having left Melbourne without a record-extending 11th title.

“It’s a very good result considering the circumstances,” he said.

“But it’s not satisfying to me, you know, for my standards.

“I always look for the highest goal, to reach the finals and fight for a trophy.”

Djokovic will likely return to Grand Slam action at the French Open, which begins on Sunday, May 25.