Novak Djokovic retired injured after losing the opening set of his clash with Alexander Zverev yesterday, sending the German to a first Australian Open final where he will take on defending champion Jannik Sinner for a maiden Grand Slam title.
Sinner later overcame cramp to book an intriguing battle for the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup by beating American Ben Shelton 7-6(2) 6-2 6-2 to reach his second successive final in Melbourne and third at hardcourt majors after his US Open triumph.
“I’m just happy to put myself in this position again, to play for a big trophy again,” Sinner told reporters.
“At the end of the day, Grand Slams are the most important tournaments we have in our sport ... Finals are a bit different, but very exciting days.
“When you arrive on Sunday, it doesn’t really matter how big the tournament is, but when you play there’s a nice feeling. Two men standing. You just try to play the best tennis possible.”
While the Italian guns for a third Grand Slam title of his sparkling career, Djokovic will stay locked with Margaret Court on 24 major trophies until at least the French Open, as he quit against Zverev after losing the first set 7-6(5).
There were doubts about Djokovic’s left thigh following his taxing quarter-final victory over Carlos Alcaraz when he took a lengthy medical timeout after a high-octane opening set against the Spaniard.
The 37-year-old Serb skipped a training session on the eve of the semi-final and entered Rod Laver Arena for the afternoon match with the thigh strapped.
But there was little indication that he was struggling until late in the set when he began trudging slowly between points and muttering in frustration at his players’ box.
He gave up the set by hammering a regulation forehand volley into the net and promptly walked to Zverev’s side to shake hands and embrace the German, leaving the crowd gasping.
With a rueful expression, Djokovic held two thumbs up and clapped at the terraces but there was a round of boos as the 10-time champion made his exit.
Djokovic later said he had been trying to nurse a torn muscle and he was in increasing pain as the set wore on.
“I knew even if I won the first set, that it’s going to be a huge uphill battle for me to stay physically fit enough to stay with him in the rallies, you know, for another God knows what, two, three, four hours,” the Serb told reporters.
“I don’t think I had that, unfortunately, today in the tank.”
Zverev said he was also surprised by Djokovic’s retirement but noted the Serb’s movement had fallen away in the tiebreak.
Zverev also admonished sections of the crowd for jeering Djokovic, who has dominated the year’s opening Grand Slam since winning his first trophy at Melbourne Park in 2008.
“The very first thing I want to say is, please guys, don’t boo a player when he goes out with injury,” Zverev said.
&uuid=(email))