GUWAHATI, Jan 24: 10-time champion Novak Djokovic made a painful exit from the Rod Laver Arena after retiring hurt mid-match in the semi-final against Alexander Zverev, sending the German into the final of the Australian Open 2025.
The German will meet top seed and defending champion Jannik Sinner of Italy, who defeated American Ben Shelton in the second last-four encounter, in the final on Sunday.
Zverev had won the first set 7-6 (7-5) when Djokovic went to the net and shook hands with him, indicating that he was retiring from the clash.
Reports said Djokovic had picked up an injury in his quarter-final match against Carlos Alcaraz and was risking aggravating it by stretching out against the German second seed.
Meanwhile, Sinner got the better of his American opponent in straight sets 7-6, 6-2, 6-2, to set up a summit clash with Zverev and reclaim the title he won at Melbourne a year ago.
