Novak Djokovic responded to skeptics in dramatic fashion on Saturday, sharing an MRI scan that revealed the severity of the muscle tear that forced him to retire from his Australian Open 2025 semi-final against Alexander Zverev. The Serbian superstar, known for his incredible resilience on the court, was visibly struggling before ultimately conceding the match after losing the first set in a tense tie-break.
Despite being a 10-time Australian Open champion, Djokovic faced boos from sections of the crowd as he walked off the court. Frustrated by the speculation surrounding his injury, he took to his official X (formerly Twitter) account to post the MRI results, along with a pointed message:
“Here’s something for all the self-proclaimed sports injury ‘specialists’ to see.”
His post quickly went viral, racking up over four million views within hours and igniting discussions among fans and analysts.
Grand Slam Dream Ends in Pain
Djokovic, 37, entered the tournament aiming for a historic 25th Grand Slam title, a feat that would further solidify his standing as one of the greatest players in tennis history. However, his campaign came to an abrupt halt as his leg injury became too much to bear.
“I pushed myself as much as I could to manage the muscle tear,” Djokovic admitted in his post-match press conference. “By the end of the first set, the pain had escalated to a point where I just couldn’t continue.”
Zverev Backs Djokovic Amid Fan Reactions
After Djokovic’s unexpected exit, his opponent, Alexander Zverev, came to his defense, calling for greater respect toward the Serbian legend.
“Novak deserves better,” Zverev said. “For the past 20 years, he has dedicated his heart and soul to this sport.”
We should appreciate what he has done instead of questioning him.”
Djokovic’s Legacy Remains Untouched
Djokovic has faced injury doubts before, famously winning the 2023 Australian Open while playing with a torn hamstring. However, this time, the damage proved too severe to overcome.
While his pursuit of a 25th Grand Slam title has been delayed, Djokovic’s place among tennis greats remains unchallenged. Given his history of defying setbacks, fans and critics alike can expect to see him back in contention soon, ready to fight for more titles.