Novak Djokovic hints at retirement from tennis after withdrawing from Australian Open semi-final due to injury: 'There is a chance'

Novak Djokovic’s campaign at the 2025 Australian Open came to an abrupt end on Friday after he was forced to retire from his semi-final match against Alexander Zverev due to a muscle tear on the upper left leg. Djokovic had lost the first set to Zverev with a 6-7 (5-7) margin, but gave up soon after .

Djokovic had sustained the injury during his quarter-final win over Carlos Alcaraz on Tuesday, and was reportedly unable to train on Wednesday and Thursday . Djokovic, who received boos from the Melbourne crowd on Friday,  hinted at a possible retirement from tennis.

‘There’s a chance’: Djokovic gives retirement hint

“I don’t know. There is a chance. Who knows? I will have to see how the season goes. I want to keep going. But whether I’m going to have a revised schedule or not for the next year, I’m not sure,” the 37-year-old told reporters during the post-match press conference. He, however, said that he could still return to Australia next year if he remained fit and healthy.

“I normally like to come to Australia to play. I’ve had the biggest success in my career here. So I’m fit, healthy, motivated. I don’t see a reason why I wouldn’t come. But there’s always a chance, yeah," added the former World No 1.

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Djokovic also said that he did everything that was possible but the pain was too much. “Yes, I did everything I possibly can to basically manage the muscle tear I had. Yes, medications and I guess the strap, and the physio worked helped to some extent today.

“But yes, towards the end of that first set I just started feeling more and more pain. It was, yes, too much, I guess to handle for me at the moment. Yes, unfortunate ending, but I tried,” he added.

Best wishes in your recovery, @DjokerNole 💙#AO2025 pic.twitter.com/VCTyfyaErg

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2025

Djokovic was aiming for his 11th Australian Open title and a 25th Grand Slam title. He is the last active member of the Bog Three that consisted of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Djokovic seemed to give a hint on retiring from tennis during the press conference, but vowed to keep going for as long as possible.

Not how we wanted your campaign to end, @djokernole.

Thank you for another wonderful Australian summer. Well played and best wishes for a speedy recovery.#AO2025 pic.twitter.com/d5VJ6YNBeN

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2025

Zverev, who is into his maiden Australian Open final, will take on either World No 1 Jannik Sinner or Ben Shelton in Sunday’s summit clash.