Tennis 571036
Alexander Zverev Urges Crowd Not To Boo Novak Djokovic As Serbian Star Retires Hurt From Australian Open Semi-Final 1f5466
Ben Horlock is a sports news and features writer who holds a degree in sports journalism (BA Hons) from Southampton Solent University. Ben has been published across a wide variety of news outlets and websites including HITC, 90min, GiveMeSport, Betfair and Zoo Magazine. As well, Ben has worked in social media for four years in the sports gambling industry. For his sins, Ben is a QPR fan and is a keen follower of all the major European football leagues.
Get to know Ben Horlock betterPublished24 Jan 2025
The Alexander Zverev vs Novak Djokovic Australian Open semi-final ended prematurely with the Serbian star greeted by a chorus of boos.
Djokovic retired hurt at the end of a gruelling first set which Zverev won 7-6. The 37-year-old had been struggling with a torn muscle which he suffered in the quarter-final win over Carlos Alcaraz.
In the build up to Friday’s eagerly anticipated last four extravaganza, Djokovic missed two days of practice. His only real warm-up came just before the match with the world No 2.
Potentially this could have been Djokovic’s last appearance at the Rod Laver Arena and it’s certainly not how he would have envisaged it ending.
The normally ing and ionate following turned against the star who has a record-breaking ten singles titles to his name Down Under.
As far as sportsmanship goes, Zverev demonstrated his worth by insisting that the Serbinator not be treated in such a way. Djokovic shook hands with the German and left the court by posting two thumbs-up despite the crowd’s displeasure.
"Please don't boo an injured player!" 🙏
Alexander Zverev heaps praise and love on Novak Djokovic after the 24-time Grand Slam champion retired after just one set of the #AusOpen semi-final 💙 pic.twitter.com/JuX2Zj09BB
— Eurosport (@eurosport) January 24, 2025
Zverev Vs Djokovic Ends To A Chorus Off Boos 5f4h36
During the early exchanges of the match, Djokovic seemed to be moving well. Even though the 24-time Grand Slam champion had obvious and heavy strapping around his thigh.
The opening set went the distance and was eventually won 7-5 in a tie-break. Owing to Djokovic netting a straight-forward volley to hand Zverez the lead.
It was at that moment that the Serbinator went back to the net to shake the hand of his opponent. ittedly, leaving the crowd shell-shocked.
From Zverev’s perspective, he is through to his third major final whilst still seeking his maiden Grand Slam victory. The 6’6″ star showed his class when he leapt to the defence of Nole.
“The very first thing I want to say is please don’t boo a player when he goes out injured. I know that everybody paid for tickets but Novak Djokovic is somebody that has given this sport for the past 20 years absolutely everything of his life.
“He has won this tournament with an abdominal tear, won this tournament with a hamstring tear; if he feels he can’t continue a tennis match, he can’t continue a tennis match.”
Zverev will now play either reigning champion Jannik Sinner or up-and-coming American star Ben Shelton in the final. According to the best tennis betting sites in the UK, Zverev can be backed at 5/2.