Novak Djokovic Withdraws from Australian Open Semi-Final Due to Injury
Zverev advances to final to face either defending champion Jannik Sinner or Ben Shelton

Novak Djokovic’s bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title came to an abrupt end during the semi-finals of the 2025 Australian Open on Friday, where he retired due to injury against Alexander Zverev.
Djokovic, who had previously defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals, was visibly struggling with a leg injury that had been affecting him since that match.
Despite his efforts, he lost the first set 7-6(5) before deciding he could not continue, leading to a walkover for Zverev.
In the lead-up to the semi-final, Djokovic had missed several training sessions due to his injury concerns, which raised questions about his fitness as he entered the match heavily taped on his left thigh. Initially, he appeared to be managing well, but as the first set progressed, his physical limitations became apparent. After losing the set in a tiebreaker, he signalled his inability to continue, prompting mixed reactions from the crowd, including boos.
Following his retirement, Djokovic confirmed that he was dealing with a muscle tear and expressed disappointment over not being able to compete fully. This marks a significant moment in his career as he was aiming for an 11th Australian Open title.
Zverev, German professional tennis player and the current world No. 2. has advanced to face either defending champion Jannik Sinner or Ben Shelton in the finals.