Novak Djokovic was booed off the court after retiring with an injury (Image: Getty)
Novak Djokovic bowed out of the Australian Open to a chorus of boos after retiring with an injury in his semi-final clash with , suggesting that a controversial name change idea wouldn’t go down too well. The Serbian in his quarter-final victory over earlier this week, and the pain was evidently too much to bear.
At the end of the first set, which Zverev edged 7-6, – who had both dark tape and a white bandage envolping his upper thigh – decided to withdraw, much to the frustration of the crowd inside the Rod Laver Arena. The 37-year-old was booed off court, which was little surprise given how hostile some fans had been to Djokovic throughout the tournament.
Their reaction indicates that the Rod Laver Arena after Djokovic, who has won the a record 10 times, wouldn’t be best received. The suggestion was put forward by former Aussie tennis ace John Milman, who insisted it would be a fitting tribute to Djokovic’s extraordinary impact at Melbroune Park.
“The Rod Laver Arena has a suitable name. But it wouldn’t surprise me if at some point we rename it to the Novak Arena because of his dominance on these courts,” Milman told Australian outlet 9news earlier this week.
Djokovic has had a strained relationship with Australian tennis fans ever since he was ahead of the 2022 over his -19 vaccination status. Ever since, the 24-time Grand Slam champion has faced from the crowds in Melbourne, and Friday’s match was no different.
After booking his place in Sunday’s final, Zverev for abusing his hurt opponent, who hadn’t trained since his win over Alcaraz due to injury discomfort. “The very first thing I want to say is please, guys, don’t boo a player when he goes out with an injury,” the German said during his on-court interview with Jim Courier.
Alexander Zverev was sympathetic towards Novak Djokovic, even if the crowd weren’t (Image: Getty)
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“I know that everyone paid for tickets and everyone wants to see hopefully a great five-set match. But you’ve got to understand, is someone who has given to this sport for the past 20 years absolutely everything of his life,” he added.
“He has won this tournament with an abdominal tear, he has won this tournament with a hamstring tear. If he cannot continue a tennis match it really means that he cannot continue a tennis match. So please, be respectful, and really show some love for Novak.”
Djokovic needs just one more Grand Slam title to surpass Margaret Court and become, statistically, the most successful tennis player of all time. He’s also one win away from 100 tournament triumphs, and is running out of time to hit both targets.
Djokovic admitted afterwards that this could be his last Australian Open (Image: Getty)
After the match, Djokovic said he why the crowd were unhappy, but insisted they ought to have given him the benefit of the doubt. “People came here, paid for the tickets and expected a battle, and they’re unhappy they didn’t get that,” he told Serbian media.
“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.”
He also that this might have been his last appearance. “There is a chance [it’s my last appearance]. 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,” he added. “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.”
The Belgrade native hasn’t won a major since 2023 – his longest drought in eight years – and with injuries beginning to pile up, it’s fair to assume that the end can’t be too far away. He’ll be 38 by the time the next Grand Slam, the , rolls around, and the competition around him only seems to be getting better.
Zverev, who is still waiting to clinch his first Grand Slam title, will face the winner of world no.1 and Ben Shelton, who are facing off on Friday morning. Defending champion Sinner, who beat Djokovic en route to last year’s final, has won both of his major titles on hard court, and will be favourite to win a third should he progress to Sunday’s showpiece.