Novak Djokovic Retring From Australian Open Angers Fans, As Jannik Sinner Is Set To Face Alexander Zverev In Final

 

Fans were angered and booed Novak Djokovic over retiring from the tournament, which they found unpleasant to hear as he announced his decision midway through the semi-final match against Alexander Zverev. 

Djokovic withdrew from the tournament after losing the opening set by 7-6(7-5) against Zverev, citing his struggle with "pain". The withdrawal set up a final match between Zverev and Jannik Sinner, who will be defending the title he won last season. 

Dropping out of the match to lose to Zverev, he explained was due to severe pains he continued to feel during the set. He described the injury as a "muscle tear" and the pain he was feeling, which he explained was "more and more" while playing. 

"Towards the end of that first set I just started feeling more and more pain," he explained in his speech. "It was too much to handle for me."

In retrospect, Djokovic played through the quarterfinal against Carlos Alcaraz despite an injury for which he was treated in the first set. He went on to win the match to make a historic 50th singles semi-final at Grand Slam event. The longest for a male player in the Open Era. 

Jannik won his semi-final match against Ben Shelton in a straight set, 7-6(7-2) 6-2 6-2. He will make a second consecutive final appearance in defense of the title against Zverev.