Alexander Zverev has landed another Grand Slam final spot after edging past Novak Djokovic in their Australian Open semi-final.
Zverev said Djokovic is the greatest player right now ahead of their Australian Open clash, which the Serbian ended early due to a leg injury.
ATP number two Zverev took the first set 7-6 (7-5) after almost one hour and a half when Djokovic decided enough was enough.
Djokovic was booed off the court by many fans inside the Rod Laver Arena, despite being a 10-time champion and a 24-time Grand Slam champion.
And that is exactly the stance his opponent took immediately after the match, with Zverev having been asked for his thoughts on Djokovic in his on-court interview with Jim Courier.
Alexander Zverev wows tennis fans with Novak Djokovic defence after Australian Open semi-final
After a bittersweet win, Zverev said: “The very first thing I want to say is please guys don’t boo a player when he goes out with an injury. I know that everybody paid for tickets and everybody wants to see hopefully a great five-set match and everything, but you’ve got to understand, Novak Djokovic is somebody that has given the sport for the past 20 years absolutely everything of his life.
“He has won this tournament with an abdominal tear, he has won this tournament with a hamstring tear, if he cannot continue a tennis match, it really means that he cannot continue a tennis match. So please be respectful and really show some love for Novak as well.”
Former world number one Courier reacted by noting: “That’s well said,” with many tennis fans in agreement, as one wrote on X: “Pure class from Zverev. Amazing player and amazing person, he deserves AO so much.
“Shame how things turned out especially seeing how Novak took out Carlos [Alcaraz] practically hopping around on half a leg but at least he’s solidified himself as the greatest player of all time already. Kudos.”
A second impressed fan commented: “That was a beautiful speech, sincerely delivered. Thanks for giving it all.”
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And a third fan said: “Sascha always shows respect to his opponents, either Novak or any other player. He is not only a great competitor but also an amazing person, always fair play and respectful towards the game he plays. I really hope that he will win on Sunday. He so much deserves it!”
A fourth fan praising Zverev noted: “Zverev is spot on. It is horrible to boo a player when they retire. Especially someone like Djokovic who has attended so many Australian Opens and given so much to the tournament.”
Other fans meanwhile commented: “Thanks Sascha for your wonderful words about Nole” and “Bravo, well said Alexander Zverev.”
Alexander Zverev delivers classy on-court speech after Novak Djokovic retires hurt
Zverev genuinely couldn’t have been any more accurate with his post-match comments, which deserve even more praise given it was immediately after the heat of battle.
Moreover, it was the first thing the German wanted to say, which shows just how much respect he has for one of his biggest rivals.
The world number two may not have wanted to emerge victorious in exactly those circumstances, but he will be glad to find himself in another Grand Slam final.
But he will perhaps be getting unwanted flashbacks ahead of the match, having lost both of his Grand Slam finals to date.
Zverev lost the 2020 US Open to Dominic Thiem and the 2024 French Open to Alcaraz, both of which went to five sets.
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