Jan 24, 2025 04:01 PM IST
A bit of followers on the Rod Laver Enviornment might be heard booing Novak Djokovic because the 10-time Australian Open winner walked off after retiring within the semi-final
Novak Djokovic was trying nearly as good as ever within the first set of his 2025 Australian Open semi-final in opposition to Alexander Zverev, even trying nicely forward of the German for big components of it, and so it was a shock to everybody when he retired as quickly as he misplaced the tie-breaker. Whereas he was applauded as he walked, there was a sizeable minority of followers on the Rod Laver Enviornment that booed him and Djokovic might be seen stopping, turning and put his this thumbs up in direction of them earlier than leaving the courtroom. It prompted Zverev to ask the gang to not boo a participant who has retired and American legend John McEnroe later berated the followers as nicely.
Novak Djokovic provides a thumbs as much as booing followers on the Rod Laver Enviornment after retiring in his semifinal match in opposition to Alexander Zverev on the Australian Open(AP)
“They will’t probably be booing him. Please!” he stated while doing commentary for the host broadcasters. “He’s won this 10 times. I mean, come on. I mean, clearly something was up,” McEnroe later mentioned on Channel 9.
“The man is a battler. I imply, him and Rafa [Nadal] have dug deeper than any two gamers I’ve seen. So to do this [boo], as a result of he determined that he couldn’t go on after what he’s executed right here I believed was completely ludicrous, actually. That was nearly as miserable as seeing the tip of the match,” he said.
This isn’t the first time this year that crowd behaviour has taken centre-stage at the Australian Open. American Danielle Collins had run-ins with the crowd. Collins was heckled by fans in her second round match against home favourite Destanee Aiava and she blew kisses to the crowd after winning the match. Djokovic later commended her for giving it back to the crowd. A match also had to moved to a different court after fans grew too loud at the only court at Melbourne Park which was equipped with a bar – popularly known as the “get together Court docket”.
Zverev calls out fans for booing Djokovic
Zverev asked fans to not boo a player when they leave the court injured, especially in the case of Djokovic who was chasing an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title and a record-extending 11th Australian Open.
“Please, guys, don’t boo a player when he goes out with an injury. I know everyone paid for tickets and everyone wants to see a five-set semi-final but Novak has given absolutely everything of his life to the sport the last 20 years,” Zverev mentioned as Djokovic made his approach out of the courtroom.
* “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, he cannot. Be respectful. Really, show some love for Novak as well,” mentioned Zverev.
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