Novak Djokovic Retires with Injury in Australian Open SF; Zverev Advances in Bracket

Novak Djokovic retired due to injury after losing the first set to Alexander Zverev 7-6 (5) in the semifinals of the Australian Open on Friday.

Zverev and Djokovic played an 80-minute set. After Zverev won set point, Djokovic met him at the net and retired.

Djokovic disclosed he was playing through a muscle tear in his left leg.

"I did everything I possibly can to manage the muscle tear that I had," Djokovic told reporters. "Medications and the strap and the physio work helped to some extent today, [but] towards the end of that first set I just started feeling more and more pain. It was getting worse and worse. It was just too much to handle for me at the moment.

"I knew even if I won the first set it was going to be a huge uphill battle for me to stay physically fit enough to stay with him in the rallies for another, god knows, two, three, four hours. I don't think I had that, unfortunately, today in the tank. Unfortunate ending, but I tried."

Zverev advances to the Australian Open final in the men's draw and will face the winner of Jannik Sinner and Ben Shelton.

Djokovic, who is searching for his 25th Grand Slam singles win, had just beaten Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals a few days prior.

During that four-set win, Djokovic had an injury timeout to have his left leg wrapped late in the first set, which he lost 4-6. He stormed back to take the next three sets: 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.

After the match, Djokovic had concerns about how he'd fare against Zverev.

"The extra day with no match comes at a good time," Djokovic said, per an ATP Tour article. "I have to assess the situation tomorrow when I wake up. I will try to do as much as I possibly can with my recovery team, with my physio today, tomorrow, the next few days. Probably skip training tomorrow. I'll see if I'm going to train in two days or not.

"I'll take it day by day. Now it's really about recovery. I'm concerned. I am, to be honest, physically. But if I manage somehow to be physically good enough, I think mentally, emotionally I'm as motivated as I can be."

Against Zverev, Djokovic was seen laboring at times during the match. His upper left leg was heavily wrapped.

Djokovic and Zverev played a tremendous first set that ended with the former player unusually dumping an unforced error into the net when he had the court wide open for a winner. It was clear something was off.

Per SportsCenter, this marks the first time Djokovic has retired following the first set of a major match for the first time ever.

Boos reigned down at Rod Laver Arena following the medical retirement. Afterward, Zverev stuck up for his opponent.

With that, Zverev has now moved on in search of his first-ever Grand Slam singles final.