Australian Open 2025 [Men] - Grand Slam

[Fiero425]

Legends STUNNED by Novak Djokovic's Semifinal retirement and crowd reaction​

I'm shocked and embarrassed for Aussies behaving so disrespectfully of a 10 X champion who won a rec. 3 titles str. TWICE! Why Booo a retirement?? It's becoming common place these days; even w/ kids almost half his age! When it comes to the mass disrespect on display, even at Wimbledon where classless fans "over-supported" Fed over Djokovic back in 2019! Be a fan; why become an arena of collective jerks "down under?" I won't miss watching much after he retires! People lamented Roger retiring & cautioned wishing him gone! The same can & should be said of Djokovic who BEAT Alcaraz in the QF! He's not done! Recovery is another thing!

 

[lomaha]

I was going to watch Djokovic agains Rune i Copenhagen next week, when Denmark and Serbia will play Davis Cup. I'm really not happy with Nole being injuried....

 

[Vince Evert]

I'm shocked and embarrassed for Aussies behaving so disrespectfully of a 10 X champion who won a rec. 3 titles str. TWICE! Why Booo a retirement?? It's becoming common place these days; even w/ kids almost half his age! When it comes to the mass disrespect on display, even at Wimbledon where classless fans "over-supported" Fed over Djokovic back in 2019! Be a fan; why become an arena of collective jerks "down under?" I won't miss watching much after he retires! People lamented Roger retiring & cautioned wishing him gone! The same can & should be said of Djokovic who BEAT Alcaraz in the QF! He's not done! Recovery is another thing!

I agree with you regarding the crowds but, not only on this semifinal, throughout the 2025 tournament. Yes that 2019 Wimbledon crowd did over support Federer, but lets stick with the present day and context, hmmmmmmmm

In his quarterfinal vs. Alcaraz, Novak was quoted as saying, if he'd lost the second set to go down two-sets-to-0 , he would not have continued playing, which suggests he was prepared to risk the groin "injury" after he levelled at 1 set all.

As for the crowds today, lets be honest, who wouldn't be pissed off if they'd paid a large sum of money to attend the semifinals of a Grand Slam featuring a somewhat promising match-up only for it to be over after one set, given that it left the impression that the retiring player could have played on. In that regard, I can understand a fan being mad at the result. If Djokovic was fit enough to start the match he was fit enough to finish it, Period.

 

[Vince Evert]

I was going to watch Djokovic agains Rune in Copenhagen next week, when Denmark and Serbia will play Davis Cup. I'm really not happy with Nole being injuried....

so if Djokovic does not come and play the Davis Cup, you're not interested in the DC at all ?

 

[Vince Evert]

 

[britbox]

Zverev, the beacon of respectful behaviour when he's the beneficiary.

 

[britbox]

I know it's irrelevant in this case, but in a hypothetical scenario had Djoker dropped out BEFORE the match, maybe they should enact a lucky loser-type mechanism where the defeated player progresses in their place. This has been discussed in the past. i.e.Nadal/Kyrgios SF at Wimbledon where some felt Fritz should have progressed after Nadal withdrew.

 

[lomaha]

so if Djokovic does not come and play the Davis Cup, you're not interested in the DC at all ?

Off course I am, and I´m going til see it anyway. But it would have been a dream of mine to see a match between Nole and Holger.

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

I'm shocked and embarrassed for Aussies behaving so disrespectfully of a 10 X champion who won a rec. 3 titles str. TWICE! Why Booo a retirement?? It's becoming common place these days; even w/ kids almost half his age! When it comes to the mass disrespect on display, even at Wimbledon where classless fans "over-supported" Fed over Djokovic back in 2019! Be a fan; why become an arena of collective jerks "down under?" I won't miss watching much after he retires! People lamented Roger retiring & cautioned wishing him gone! The same can & should be said of Djokovic who BEAT Alcaraz in the QF! He's not done! Recovery is another thing!

Remember, Roger played the entirety of his semifinal match against Novak after he suffered his injury at the 2020 Australian Open. He could have withdrawn (like Rafa did at Wimbledon) or retired from his match (like Novak did today). But Roger never takes the easy way out. That's why crowds "over support" Roger.

I said that barring injury, Novak will win again. This may be the injury that derails that. As was proven with Roger, it is tough to recover from a groin injury at that age. Roger came back in 2021 and clearly wasn't the same player.

 

[mrzz]

Remember, Roger played the entirety of his semifinal match against Novak after he suffered his injury at the 2020 Australian Open. He could have withdrawn (like Rafa did at Wimbledon) or retired from his match (like Novak did today). But Roger never takes the easy way out. That's why crowds "over support" Roger.

I said that barring injury, Novak will win again. This may be the injury that derails that. As was proven with Roger, it is tough to recover from a groin injury at that age. Roger came back in 2021 and clearly wasn't the same player.

Good points. I would only add this: Djokovic can always come back to winning tournaments because he knows so well how to do this. However, it is impossible not to acknowledge his drop in overall level. But that is the crazy thing about being a multi-multichampion, you can win consistently even playing not so sublime tennis. He managed to beat Alcaraz playing OK at best, and now he and Zverev played a very slow paced set. It was almost embarrassing to watch, honestly (considering who is playing, and that is a major semi). To win big tournaments again he needs not only to come back healthy, but find some extra spark as well.

 

[Federberg]

starting to wonder if Shelton is just Shapavalov 2.0. I was not impressed with his game today. So much left on the table

 

[don_fabio]

starting to wonder if Shelton is just Shapavalov 2.0. I was not impressed with his game today. So much left on the table

How he lost that 1st set it was definitely Shapo like.

 

[Front242]

Was only able to follow the scores because of work but knew that when Shelton failed to serve it out, he'd bottle the tiebreaker.

This is a truly disgusting look for tennis now as Sinner will most likely win unless a fresh Zverev shows some serious belief and doesn't play dumb like he usually does in big moments. For Sinner to defend his title after a doping scandal, this is the end of men's tennis. Because of that, I'm really hoping Zverev wins. If he somehow manages to win, the new found belief could make him very dangerous. That'd be great to have someone other than Sinner and Alcaraz winning slams cos Djokovic may be done.

 

[don_fabio]

OMG Novak retired just after he lost the 1st set in the TB? 76(5)
Zverev through to the final 76(5)
Actually it was a wise decision having a groin injury and you dont rest and have the right rehab it can be hard to heal

It was a wtf moment really. I honestly tought Novak had Zverev in that TB after that superb lob at 4:4, but Novak's movement was not good today.

You mentioned passive Zverev and it's so true. Why he always goes to that same old thing when he knows it doesn't pay dividends? It's all mental IMO. But as crazy as it may sound, I feel Zverev has a chance in a final. He has good H2H against Jannick. They played several close matches and I'm actually looking forward to the final, semis were not fun. Not sure if current level of Novak would trouble Sinner. Let's see how much Zverev really wants that maiden slam title.

 

[Federberg]

It's funny but I think the match ups in both finals should encourage close championships. It's all we can hope for. I would have loved Carlito to complete the slams, but another time

 

[El Dude]

Sinner honestly looks unbeatable these days. I don't know if peak Big Three level, but very close. He's like a machine. The only hesitation I have--and hope for Zverev--is that he still seems frail around the edges, whether it is a penchant to illness or minor injury. But that's kind of the thing: in big moments right now, the only way he loses is to the good version of Alcaraz, a revived Novak (maybe) or having a sore tummy.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

It's funny but I think the match ups in both finals should encourage close championships. It's all we can hope for. I would have loved Carlito to complete the slams, but another time

He has 2 more chances to complete his career slam, 2026 and 2027

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

It was a wtf moment really. I honestly tought Novak had Zverev in that TB after that superb lob at 4:4, but Novak's movement was not good today.

You mentioned passive Zverev and it's so true. Why he always goes to that same old thing when he knows it doesn't pay dividends? It's all mental IMO. But as crazy as it may sound, I feel Zverev has a chance in a final. He has good H2H against Jannick. They played several close matches and I'm actually looking forward to the final, semis were not fun. Not sure if current level of Novak would trouble Sinner. Let's see how much Zverev really wants that maiden slam title.

Zverev knew that Novak came into the match with an injury, he had 4 BPs on Novak's 2nd serve and still could not break him, same old story too passive, had to be more proactive on his fhand, he just waits for his opponent to make mistakes, dosent go after the ball, how many times in big matches does he do that?
Agree Novak was subdued on court and his movement wasnt good,I thought to myself if Zverev could not win the 1st set he might as well give up lol
What I didnt like from the crowd that they booed Novak when he retired and went off court, I mean most people in the stand would be aware he was carrying an injury

 

[kskate2]

Order of Play for Australian Open, Day 14 F Round, January 24, 2025

 

[Jelenafan]

Sinner honestly looks unbeatable these days. I don't know if peak Big Three level, but very close. He's like a machine. The only hesitation I have--and hope for Zverev--is that he still seems frail around the edges, whether it is a penchant to illness or minor injury. But that's kind of the thing: in big moments right now, the only way he loses is to the good version of Alcaraz, a revived Novak (maybe) or having a sore tummy.

Tested Positive Twice Banned Substance seems to have found the magical formula to combat his “fraility”.