 "Djokovic reflects on heartbreaking Aus Open exit, hopes Zverev wins the title: 'I could only push so far'")
Novak Djokovic has extended his support for Alexander Zverev ahead of the German’s final against defending champion Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open 2025. Zverev progressed to the final after receiving a walkover from Djokovic in the semi-finals on Friday the Serbian was forced to retire due to a tear in his left thigh .
Zverev won the first set against Djokovic 7-6 (7-5) before the 24-time Grand Slam champion retired. Reacting to his exit, Djokovic said that he gave his best in the semi-final of a tournament that had a lot of “positives” to offer despite him not reaching the final.
Djokovic, who is close to Zverev, also said that the 27-year-old German “deserves” the Australian Open 2025 men’s singles title.
“Tried to recover for today’s match but I could only push so far. Nevertheless, positives to take out of this year’s Aus Open. Congratulations to @AlexZverev for making another GS final. I wish you to win the title because you deserve it, my friend.” he wrote on X.
Tried to recover for today’s match but I could only push so far. Nevertheless, positives to take out of this year’s Aus Open. Congratulations to @AlexZverev for making another GS final. I wish you to win the title because you deserve it, my friend 💪🙌 pic.twitter.com/BZPyQqPk6R
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 24, 2025
Zverev, meanwhile, came out in Djokovic’s support after the former world No.1 was booed following his retirement in the semi-final.
“Please, guys, don’t boo a player when he goes out with an injury. I know everyone paid for tickets and everyone wants to see a five-set semi-final but Novak has given absolutely everything of his life to the sport the last 20 years," Zverev said.
Aus Open final: Sinner vs Zverev
Sinner qualified for the final by beating Ben Shelton in the other semi-final and is aiming to become the first Italian to win three Grand Slam titles. The match against Sinner will be the third major final for Zverev who lost in the finals of the US Open in 2020 and the French Open last year.
Sinner, on the other hand, won the Australian Open and US Open in 2024 and is the No.1 seed at the 2025 Australian Open.
“We had some very tough matches in the past Anything can happen, he’s an incredible player, he’s looking for his first major, again there’ll be a lot of tension. But I’ll enjoy it,” Sinner said about his upcoming final with Zverev.
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