"If Novak retires it means that he has big issues": Jannik Sinner reacts to Djokovic’s injury that forced him out of Australian Open semifinals
ATP
Jannik Sinner lamented Novak Djokovic's 'unfortunate' injury at the Australian Open, which forced the Serbian to retire during his semifinal clash against Alexander Zverev. Djokovic, facing the German World No. 2, was unable to complete the match, allowing Zverev to advance to the final.
Later, defending champion Sinner secured his spot in the final by defeating Ben Shelton in straight sets. He is now aiming for his second consecutive Australian Open title and his third consecutive hardcourt major victory.
In a press conference, Sinner commented on Djokovic's injury, acknowledging the Serbian’s chances of competing for his 25th Grand Slam title, especially after defeating Carlos Alcaraz earlier in the tournament. It was just a year ago when Sinner had eliminated Djokovic in the semifinals.
"It's very unfortunate to see these kinds of things, especially in the semifinals of Grand Slams," remarked the World No. 1. "But if Novak retires, it means that he has big issues. He has won here in the past with some physical problems, and he always tried to do his best,” Sinner added. “He gave so much until now in his career for this sport. It's unfortunate to see. I wish him a speedy recovery."
Djokovic managed to finish only the first set, which lasted over 80 minutes, with Zverev clinching the tiebreak 7-6 [7-5]. The German advanced to his third Grand Slam final and has another chance to claim his maiden major title after a stellar season.
Sinner, who will face Zverev in the final, admitted that the matchup will be a challenge. "It's going to be a tough match for both of us. It's going to be physical, for sure," Sinner said. "I think he played some incredible tennis to get to the final. It's tough to say who’s the favourite because anything can happen. These are all questions we’ll get answered on Sunday. It's very difficult to talk about in advance.”
Not how we wanted your campaign to end, @djokernole.
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2025
Thank you for another wonderful Australian summer. Well played and best wishes for a speedy recovery.#AO2025 pic.twitter.com/d5VJ6YNBeN
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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