In a dramatic turn of events, Alexander Zverev advanced to the final of the Australian Open after his opponent and defending champion Novak Djokovic withdrew mid-match due to injury. Djokovic, who was already struggling with the injury in his quarter-final match, decided to retire after dropping the first set. This has kept Zverev's hopes alive for his first Grand Slam title after a string of unsuccessful attempts. Despite the disappointment, Djokovic showed respect for his competitor and Zverev acknowledged his greatness.
Alexander Zverev Storms into Australian Open Final After Djokovic Withdrawal
In a shocking turn of events at the 2023 Australian Open, Alexander Zverev advanced to the final after defending champion Novak Djokovic retired due to injury.
Match Summary
Djokovic, who has won the Australian Open a record nine times, struggled with a hamstring injury throughout the tournament. He entered the semi-final against Zverev with a heavily taped leg, but initially seemed to be holding his own. However, after losing the first set 6-7(3), Djokovic called for a medical timeout and decided to withdraw.
Zverev, the world number three, expressed both sympathy and respect for Djokovic's decision. "It is never nice to see someone injured," he said. "I hope he can recover quickly."
Zverev's Journey Continues
This unexpected opportunity marks a major milestone for Zverev, who has long been regarded as one of the most promising players on the ATP Tour. Despite being a multiple-time Masters champion, he has never won a Grand Slam title.
Zverev will now face the winner of the other semi-final between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Karen Khachanov in Sunday's final.
Djokovic's Disappointment
Djokovic's withdrawal marks a disappointing end to his Australian Open title defense. The Serbian star was aiming to equal Rafael Nadal's record of 21 Grand Slam singles titles.
"I'm very disappointed," Djokovic said. "I did everything I could to prepare, but unfortunately, the pain was too much."
Top 5 FAQs
1. What is the extent of Djokovic's injury?
Djokovic has not officially disclosed the exact nature of his hamstring injury. However, it is believed to be a Grade 2 tear, which typically requires several weeks to heal.
2. How did Zverev react to Djokovic's withdrawal?
Zverev expressed sympathy for Djokovic and acknowledged his greatness. He said, "He's the greatest player of all time. It's never easy to see someone like that injured."
3. Has Zverev ever defeated Djokovic before?
Yes, Zverev has defeated Djokovic twice in their previous seven meetings. The most recent victory came at the 2022 ATP Finals.
4. What are Zverev's chances of winning the Australian Open?
Zverev is now the favorite to win the Australian Open, especially if his opponent is Tsitsipas, whom he has defeated in three of their last four meetings.
5. What is the history between Djokovic and Zverev?
Djokovic and Zverev have a respectful rivalry. Djokovic has praised Zverev's talent, while Zverev has admitted to idolizing Djokovic growing up.
Get all the updates on the Premier League news conferences for Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as reaction to Nottingham Forest's win over Man Utd and Arsenal's victory over Fulham with Saka returning but Gabriel injured. Is Ruben Amorim right about the pressure being too big for young players at Man Utd? Join the conversation on #bbcfootball or via WhatsApp and text. Tune in for live updates and commentary on tonight's six Premier League matches.
Rising Indian cricketer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, has made a shocking decision to leave Mumbai and join Goa in the upcoming domestic season, as he seeks a change for personal reasons. The left-handed opener, who has already shown great potential in international cricket, will now represent a lesser-known team in hopes of making a bigger impact. This move is unprecedented, especially considering Jaiswal's successful stint with Mumbai and a lack of big names in the Goa team. Fans eagerly await the results of this surprising shift.
After Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) faced their first eight-wicket home defeat during IPL 2025, team mentor Zaheer Khan expressed his dissatisfaction with the pitch conditions. He stated that the curator did not consider it a home game, and requested for more support from the home facilities in order for the team to perform better in their home ground. Despite expecting the track to favour spin bowling, LSG's decision to bring in M Siddharth instead of Prince Yadav backfired as PBKS's fast bowling group proved to be too much for them.
On Monday, Mumbai Indians' medium-pacer Ashwani Kumar, a 23-year-old from Punjab's Jhanjeri, became the first Indian ever to take four wickets on his Indian Premier League debut, helping his team to an easy win against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium. Despite appearing at trials for multiple IPL franchises, Ashwani's humble village background and love for classic Punjabi food kept him grounded and motivated for his record-breaking performance. Coach Varinder Singh worked with Ashwani to develop his skills, and his proud mother, Meena Kumari, shared his love for besan ka chilla and aloo parathas with the media after the match.
Batting superstar Virat Kohli recently expressed his criticism towards the BCCI's decision to limit family time on international tours. This move has caused controversy, with players feeling that it affects their focus and personal well-being. Yuvraj Singh's wife, Hazel Keech, has spoken out in support of the updated policy, stating that it benefits both players and their families. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has confirmed that the rule will remain in place for the time being, citing its importance to the country and the board.
After leading the Indian cricket team to victory in the ICC Champions Trophy, Virat Kohli has announced his next big goal - winning the ODI World Cup in 2027. Amid speculation about his potential retirement, Kohli made it clear that he is not looking to slow down anytime soon. Meanwhile, other Indian players, including Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer, are set to retain their A+ grade contracts.
Pakistan's struggles continued in the second ODI against New Zealand as they lost seven wickets while chasing a target of 293. Star batter Babar Azam, who failed to perform in the first ODI, could only manage 1 run before being dismissed by Jacob Duffy. With fans and cricket enthusiasts expressing frustration over his ongoing struggles with the bat, the pressure is on Babar to deliver in the upcoming matches of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand. Despite his form difficulties, many still believe that Babar's class is permanent and a big innings is just around the corner.
In a high-scoring and intense game, the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Denver Nuggets, 140-139, in double overtime. Despite a career-high 61 points from Nikola Jokic, the Timberwolves were able to rally and secure the win with two clutch free throws from Nickeil Alexander-Walker. The win also marks the Timberwolves' fourth consecutive victory over the Nuggets this season.
Nishant Dev, a young boxer from India, has recently turned professional after being inspired by legends like Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. The 23-year-old made his debut in the professional boxing world after falling in love with the sport while watching YouTube videos. Despite his loss in the Paris Olympics, Nishant's decision to go pro was not influenced by that defeat and he continues to train hard under the guidance of former American boxer Ronald Simms.
KKR all rounder Ramandeep Singh gives glowing praise to Mumbai Indians' Ashwani Kumar for his four-wicket haul in Mumbai's victory against Kolkata Knight Riders in Match 12 of the IPL 2025. Ashwani becomes the first player to achieve this feat on his IPL debut.