As the 2025 Australian Open semifinal between Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev loomed, tensions surrounding the Serbian champion’s injury reached new heights. Djokovic, who has long been at the center of tennis greatness, found himself under scrutiny from two legendary figures of the sport—John McEnroe and Boris Becker. Both questioned the severity of Djokovic’s injury, casting doubt on his physical condition ahead of a highly anticipated clash with Zverev.
On the eve of the match, McEnroe and Becker appeared to minimize the pain Djokovic was enduring. Their comments seemed to imply that his injury may not have been as serious as the Serbian star had made it out to be. McEnroe and Becker, both figures with close ties to the sport, suggested a certain degree of doubt regarding Djokovic’s injury, which prompted a swift and candid response from the 37-year-old.
Djokovic had withdrawn from his quarterfinal match against Carlos Alcaraz after only one set, citing severe pain in his left leg. The Serbian revealed in a press conference that he had suffered a torn muscle during the match against Alcaraz and that despite receiving intensive treatments during the two-day break, his leg condition had worsened, ultimately forcing him to retire from the match. Djokovic’s decision to withdraw, while disappointing to fans hoping for a thrilling contest, was made with his long-term health in mind.
When asked by Serbian media about McEnroe and Becker’s remarks, Djokovic responded sharply. “I honestly have not read their comments in detail, but the only thing I will say is that it is much easier to criticize and judge than to understand. This is the lesson of my life,” Djokovic said, signaling his frustration with the accusations.
Despite the criticism, Djokovic’s rival, Zverev, came to his defense, expressing disappointment over the boos that followed Djokovic’s early exit from the match. “The first thing I want to say is don’t boo a player when he leaves the court because of an injury. I know you all paid for the ticket and you would have preferred to see a five-set battle, but you have to understand that Novak Djokovic is one of the players who has given his whole life to tennis in the last 20 years,” Zverev stated. “He won this tournament with a torn abdominal and a torn hamstring. And if he can’t continue playing, it means he can’t continue playing.”
This episode highlighted the immense pressure and scrutiny that Djokovic faces, not only from his opponents but also from past legends of the sport. As he continues his pursuit of his 25th Major title and the 100th career title, the Serbian champion’s journey remains a testament to his incredible resilience and dedication to the game.
