Novak Djokovic was pressured to retire in his Australian Open semi-final towards Alexander Zverev – marking his seventh mid-match retirement at Grand Slam degree.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion felt he couldn’t proceed the match, after struggling a muscle tear in his leg throughout his quarter-final match towards Carlos Alcaraz.
- Roland Garros 2005 – Guillermo Coria
As a fresh-faced 18-year-old, Djokovic needed to qualify for his second Grand Slam major draw look. As soon as he did, nonetheless, he swept by his first-round match, thrashing Robby Ginepri 6-0, 6-0, 6-3 in a match which took simply 80 minutes.
Within the second spherical, he confronted the finalist from the earlier yr’s version – Guillermo Coria. Djokovic would take an early lead, claiming the primary set 6-4 – however was seemingly experiencing respiration and cramping points all through. Finally, after dropping the second set 6-3 and happening 3-2 within the third set, the eventual three-time Roland Garros champion stated sufficient was sufficient and retired from the match.
- Roland Garros 2006 – Rafael Nadal
A yr later, Djokovic went a couple of matches additional and made the quarter-finals in Paris. As soon as there, he would face Nadal – his greatest rival – for the primary time.
After dropping the primary two units 6-4, 6-4, the Serb appeared to be affected by decrease again ache – though was nonetheless enjoying at a really excessive degree – and determined to not end the match.
The eventual 14-time Roland Garros champion, Nadal, said
“I used to be stunned when he retired. He had issues however was nonetheless enjoying good.”
- Wimbledon 2007 – Rafael Nadal
Roll the clock ahead to Wimbledon in 2007, Djokovic had really asserted himself on the prime of the tennis world stage. He arrived at SW19 as a fourth seed, and made a run to his first Grand Slam semi-final, beating Lleyton Hewitt and Marcos Baghdatis alongside the best way.
Once more, the Serb would face Nadal, however this time in additional beneficial situations – on grass. This time, Djokovic took the primary set 6-3, and regarded comfortably the higher participant.
Nonetheless, the long run seven-time Wimbledon champion started to indicate indicators of elbow discomfort and dropped the second set 6-1, earlier than being damaged and happening 4-1 within the third – dropping out.
Australian Open Information
Novak Djokovic gives first response to John McEnroe damage snipes as he hits again
- Australian Open 2009 – Andy Roddick
After profitable his maiden Grand Slam title in Melbourne the yr prior, Djokovic breezed into the quarter-finals – wanting good to go additional.
Nonetheless, within the last eight, he would meet former US Open champion Andy Roddick and go on to assert a decent first set by way of a tiebreak. The second and third had been gained by Roddick 6-4, 6-2 earlier than a 2-1 lead within the fourth for Djokovic signalled the tip of his title defence.
On this occasion, there was some controversy between the 2 gamers. Djokovic said that the difficulty was resulting from general physique soreness from the warmth, however Roddick – in his post-match press convention – sarcastically listed potential illnesses corresponding to ‘chook flu’ and the ‘widespread chilly and cough’.
Roger Federer, who was awaiting the winner of the match, said
“It’s occurred earlier than, he’s not the man who’s by no means given up earlier than, in order that’s form of disappointing to see.”
- Wimbledon 2017 – Tomas Berdych
Novak Djokovic would go greater than eight years with no retirement at any of the Grand Slams, till 2017. The yr had been nicely beneath the Serb’s traditional requirements, profitable two ATP 250 occasions – Doha and Eastbourne – however falling nicely quick on the Australian Open and Roland Garros.
At Wimbledon, Djokovic regarded way more like himself and beat the likes Martin Klizan, Ernests Gulbis, and Adrian Mannarino alongside the best way to the quarter-finals. He would face the ever-dangerous 11th seed Tomas Berdych on Courtroom One, who claimed a first-set tiebreak earlier than breaking in Djokovic’s first service recreation within the second set – with the Serb shaking his head and ending the match.
The rationale given was elbow ache, which brought on the previous world No 1 to finish his season and – ultimately – resort to surgical procedure to ease the discomfort.
- US Open 2019 – Stan Wawrinka
In 2019, Djokovic was having a stellar yr – having gained the Australian Open and Wimbledon – and got here into the final Grand Slam of the yr because the favorite.
Nonetheless, throughout his first three matches, it was apparent that the title-favourite was experiencing elbow discomfort, though the veteran legend managed it in addition to he may.
Within the fourth spherical, he would have a rematch of the US Open 2016 last – towards three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka.
The Swiss would show to be a step too far, with Djokovic dropping an in depth first and second set 6-4, 7-5 and happening an important 2-1 break within the third. Simply when it regarded just like the Serb could let the match come to a pure conclusion – having begun the third set – he walked to the web and hugged Wawrinka, ending the match in retirement.
- Australian Open 2025 – Alexander Zverev
Coming into the 2025 Australian Open, Djokovic regarded rejuvenated and hungry for extra titles – with a sure Andy Murray in his teaching field.
Previous to his semi-final match, the 10-time champion regarded like he was rounding into a few of his greatest type within the prior 12 months. This degree culminated in a surprising 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 victory over the world No 3 Carlos Alcaraz, wanting the fitter participant by the tip of it – regardless of the age hole.
Nonetheless, while the win was among the finest of his late profession, it will come at a price. Throughout the first half of the match, Djokovic would try to return a drop shot and appeared to tweak his leg.
Coming into the semi-final towards Zverev, the Serb selected to not observe within the prior 48 hours and, as a substitute, prioritise the remaining. Throughout the match, Djokovic appeared to be transferring at an sufficient degree, however didn’t seem comfy working out large.
The match adopted serve, with Zverev being far too passive for his personal liking, however claiming the primary set nonetheless in a tiebreak because of a shocker of a volley from Djokovic at 6-5 within the tiebreak.
It was at that time that the previous world No 1 couldn’t proceed, and left the stadium with a shocked crowd – and opponent.
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