Novak Djokovic was booed as he left the court after retiring injured (Image: Getty)
has addressed the hostile response he received after retiring from his semi-final.
The 10-time champion played one 81-minute set before succumbing to injury and leaving the court, waving goodbye as a group of fans booed loudly.
Djokovic later admitted there was as he shared his thoughts on the booing crowd.
The 37-year-old raised injury fears when he beat in the quarter-final on Tuesday and left the court to have his leg strapped up. He later admitted he was “concerned” ahead of the semis.
Djokovic played and lost one tiebreak set to Zverev on Friday and retired, hugging the No. 2 seed before leaving Rod Laver Arena. A small but loud section of the crowd booed and jeered as he walked off.
Zverev . “Please, guys, don’t boo a player who leaves the court due to injury,” he said.
And Djokovic has now had his say on the response, admitting he could understand why the spectators weren’t happy.
Alexander Zverev told the fans not to boo and ‘injured’ Novak Djokovic (Image: Getty)
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“I don’t know what to tell you,” he told Serbian media. “But, people came here, paid for the tickets and expected a battle, and they’re unhappy they didn’t get that.”
Although he could appreciate why the fans would’ve been disappointed by his retirement, the 24-time Major winner didn’t think they gave him the benefit of the doubt.
He added: “If you look at it that way, I understand. At least I’m trying to understand them. I don’t know if they understand me or wish to understand me.
“I know what’s in my body, what I feel, how much I gave of myself to this tournament in the past 20 years or more.”
The world No. 7 also confessed this may have been his final appearance – and it would be a sad way to go out if he never competes at Melbourne Park again.
Djokovic said: “I don’t know. There is a chance. Who knows? I’ll just 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.
I normally like to come to Australia to play. I’ve had the biggest success in my career here. So if I’m fit, healthy, motivated, I don’t see a reason why I wouldn’t come. But there’s always a chance, yeah.”