"There is a chance, who knows?": Novak Djokovic casts doubt on Australian Open return after injury withdrawal

Novak Djokovic faced an unfortunate exit from the Australian Open after retiring from his semifinal clash against Alexander Zverev. Both players were engaged in a fierce battle, with the German taking the first set 7-6 [7-5] after more than 80 minutes of play, at which point Djokovic decided to withdraw from the match.

The 10-time Australian Open champion left the court unexpectedly, as he had shown no signs of physical discomfort during the match. However, two days earlier against Carlos Alcaraz, he had experienced physical issues—many speculated these might have been exaggerated—but ultimately, those difficulties led to his retirement in the semifinals.

In his press conference shortly after leaving Rod Laver Arena, Djokovic explained his physical condition: “I did everything I possibly could to basically manage the muscle tear that I had,” he said. “Towards the end of that first set, I started feeling more and more pain, and it was too much to handle for me at the moment. It was an unfortunate ending, but I tried.”

The 24-time Grand Slam champion admitted that even if he had won the first set, the outcome might not have changed much: “Maybe if I won the first set, maybe I would try it, I don’t know, a few more games, half a set, maybe a set. I don’t know,” the world No. 7 said. “It was getting worse and worse. I knew that even if I won the first set, there was going to be a huge uphill battle for me—to stay physically fit enough, to stay with him in the rallies, for another… God knows, two, three, or four hours. I don’t think that I had that, unfortunately, today in the tank.”

When asked if this could be his last Australian Open, Djokovic avoided making a definitive statement but acknowledged that it was a possibility: “I don’t know. There is a chance. Who knows? I will just have to see how the season goes,” Novak Djokovic said. “I want to keep going, but whether I am going to have a revised schedule or not, we will see. If I am fit, healthy, and motivated, I don’t see a reason why I wouldn’t come.”

The Serbian has now exited the tournament at the semifinal stage for the second consecutive year, though this time he couldn’t even finish the match. On the other hand, Alexander Zverev advanced to his third Grand Slam final and will once again have the opportunity to claim his first major title. He awaits the winner of the night-session clash between Ben Shelton and Jannik Sinner at Rod Laver Arena.