Zverev’s fiery defense of a booed Djokovic: “He has given his life for this sport, be respectful”

Novak Djokovicexecutioner of Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open of tennis, had elevated his name on the favorite lists to winner of the first Grand Slam of the season after his resounding victory over the Spaniard. However, just one round later his options disappeared, weighed down by physical problems. After losing the first set of the semifinal against the German Alexander Zverev, the Serbian’s body couldn’t take it anymore and he had to leave the tournament.

At 37 years old, the last active member of the ‘Big Three’, who has accumulated 24 Grand Slams on his resume, already took to the court with a bandage on his left leg. In the previous hours he had set off alarm bells due to his problems in training, but many considered that everything responded to a distraction tactic by the world number seven.

However, just after losing the first set, with a score of 7-6 (7/5) and after an intense physical battle, Djokovic approached his rival to inform him that he could not continue and He left the track under whistles from the public.

Zverev silences the public

A very harsh image that his rival did not like at all, Alexander Zverevwho did not hesitate to reproach the spectators present on the center court of the Australian Open.

«The first thing I want to say is, please do not boo an injured player. I know they have paid for a ticket, but Djokovic He has given his life to this sport for 20 years, absolutely his entire life.. He won this tournament with an abdominal tear. He won this tournament with a torn tendon. If he can’t continue, he can’t continue,” said the world number two in the interview at the foot of the court.

“Please be respectful and show a little love for Novak,” the German concluded his speech, causing the audience’s whistles to transform into a loud ovation.

A gesture that honors Zverev, who On Sunday he will play his first final in Melbourne against the winner of the duel between Jannik Sinner and Ben Shelton. At 27 years old, he will try to lift his first Grand Slam after the lost finals at the United States Open (2020) and at Roland Garros (2024).

Djokovic, disappointed, but determined to fight

After the match, Novak Djokovic explained his decision to leave and assured that will not give up on his goal of adding a 25th Grand Slambecoming the only tennis player to reach that number. Although “upset and disappointed” Djokovic was philosophical. “I actually think I played very well, as well as I played the last 12 months, to be honest.”

«I liked my chances today… There are a lot of positives to take away in terms of how I played in the semi-finals. It is a very good result considering the circumstances. But it’s not satisfactory to me, you know, by my standards. “I always look for the highest goal, to reach the final and fight for a trophy,” he added.

With four months left until his 38th birthday, the Serbian reflected on the passage of time and his options to continue winning in the elite of world tennis. “It’s not that I worry every time I face a Grand Slam whether I’m going to get injured or not, but the statistics are against me in a way in the last two years.”

«I don’t know exactly what the reason for the increase in injuries is, perhaps several different factors. But I’ll move on. I will continue fighting to win more Slams. And as long as I feel like I want to put up with all this, I will be here,” he concluded.