Tennis great Novak Djokovic said the pain he was experiencing during his semi-final match against Alexander Zverev at the Australian Open in Melbourne, was unbearable and forced him to retire.
This as the Serb retired in the second test of the match, after losing the first set 7-6 (5) as he was seen struggling with a torn muscle in his upper left leg.
The 37-year-old, who was bidding for a record 11th title, was carrying an injury from his quarter-final match against Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz earlier this week.
He received boos and jeers from some pockets of the not so sympathetic Aussie crowd.
But addressing the media after the match, the seventh seed revealed that he had suffered a muscle tear and had not been able to train in the days before Friday’s semi-final due to the injury.
“I didn’t hit a ball since (Carlos) Alcaraz match, so until like an hour before today’s match.
I did everything I possibly can to basically manage the muscle tear that I had, 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 too much, I guess, to handle for me at the moment.
Unfortunate ending, but I tried,” said Djokovic.
In addition, he said even if he had won the first set, it was going to be a huge uphill battle for him to stay physically fit enough to continue with the match.
The Serb however sought to allay concerns that he will not return to Melbourne next year or participate in other tournaments.
“I normally like to come to Australia to play.
I’ve had the biggest success in my career here.
So, if I’m fit, healthy, motivated, I don’t see a reason why I wouldn’t come,” explained Djokovic.
