{"id":32494,"date":"2025-01-24T08:36:37","date_gmt":"2025-01-24T08:36:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sportscasting.com\/uk\/?p=32494"},"modified":"2025-01-24T08:36:37","modified_gmt":"2025-01-24T08:36:37","slug":"zverev-vs-djokovic-boos-australian-open","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sportscasting.com\/uk\/news\/zverev-vs-djokovic-boos-australian-open\/","title":{"rendered":"Alexander Zverev Urges Crowd Not To Boo Novak Djokovic As Serbian Star Retires Hurt From Australian Open Semi-Final"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Alexander Zverev vs Novak Djokovic Australian Open semi-final ended prematurely with the Serbian star greeted by a chorus of boos.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Djokovic retired hurt at the end of a gruelling first set which Zverev won 7-6. The 37-year-old had been struggling with a torn muscle which he suffered in the quarter-final win over Carlos Alcaraz<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In the build up to Friday’s eagerly anticipated last four extravaganza, Djokovic missed two days of practice<\/a>. His only real warm-up came just before the match with the world No 2.<\/p>\n

Potentially this could have been Djokovic’s last appearance at the Rod Laver Arena and it’s certainly not how he would have envisaged it ending.<\/p>\n

The normally supporting and passionate following turned against the star who has a record-breaking ten singles titles to his name Down Under.<\/p>\n

As far as sportsmanship goes, Zverev demonstrated his worth by insisting that the Serbinator not be treated in such a way. Djokovic shook hands with the German and left the court by posting two thumbs-up despite the crowd’s displeasure.<\/p>\n

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"Please don't boo an injured player!" \ud83d\ude4f<\/p>\n

Alexander Zverev heaps praise and love on Novak Djokovic after the 24-time Grand Slam champion retired after just one set of the #AusOpen<\/a> semi-final \ud83d\udc99 pic.twitter.com\/JuX2Zj09BB<\/a><\/p>\n

— Cycling on TNT Sports (@cyclingontnt) January 24, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n