Djokovic left the court in the semifinal against German Alexander Zverev after losing the first set 6–7. The Serb went off with a heavily taped right thigh, an injury he sustained in the quarterfinal earlier in the week.
The question is whether the tennis audience in Melbourne will see Djokovic here in a year. With ten wins, he is the tournament's best player of all time.
I normally like coming to Australia and playing. I've had my greatest successes here. So if I'm healthy and motivated, I don't see why I wouldn't come back, says Djokovic, but adds that there is uncertainty.
Ambivalent relationship
Despite all the victories, Djokovic has an ambivalent relationship with the Australian Open.
In 2022, he was quarantined in Melbourne after not taking the covid vaccine and ultimately missed the tournament.
And before this year's tournament, he accused – without presenting any evidence – the authorities of poisoning him with lead and mercury in connection with the controversy in 2022.
When he left the court after the match against Zverev, he also received both applause and boos.
Next chance in French
The injury means that Novak Djokovic has missed five chances to take another Grand Slam title and thus surpass Australian Margaret Court as the one who has won the most Grand Slam titles in history. Court took home 24 titles during her career.
Djokovic took his 24th and latest Grand Slam win in 2023.
The next chance is the French Championships in May.
We'll see how the season goes. I want to continue, says Djokovic.
Treatment in the quarterfinal
Even before the semifinal, there were question marks around Djokovic's physique. He received treatment in the tough quarterfinal against Carlos Alcaraz, and the injury seems to have made itself known again against Zverev.
Zverev will face the winner of the other semifinal – Italian and world number one Jannik Sinner or the surprise, American Ben Shelton. That match will be played on Friday morning.
German Zverev has never reached the final in the Australian Open before, but was a finalist in the French Championships last year and in the US Open 2020.
Corrected: In an earlier version, Zverev's nationality was incorrectly stated.
Facts: Novak Djokovic.
Age: 37.
Born: Belgrade, Serbia.
Djokovic's 24 Grand Slam titles: Australian Open 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, French Championships 2016, 2021, 2023, Wimbledon 2011, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, US Open 2011, 2015, 2018, 2023.
