Novak Djokovic commented after the withdrawal that he has retired because he suffers from a muscle tear in the thigh of his left leg
Injury. “The tests indicate that I have a tear and that is why I have withdrawn. Since I beat Alcaraz I had not picked up the racket until a few hours before the semifinal. Two years ago, I was able to handle a similar tear better, but this time it has not been so. The pain was getting worse and at the end of the first set I could not stand it anymore. Maybe if I had won the first set I would have played a little more, but I doubt that I would have won because I did not have the energy to endure three more hours”.
The whistles from the fans. “I’m not sure if they understand me or if they want to understand me. The fans have paid the entrance fee to see a great battle and they haven’t had it. From that point of view I can understand their reaction. I know my body and I know everything I’ve given to this tournament for 20 years.”
I’m not sure if they understand me or if they want to understand me
Future. “It may have been my last Australian Open, that possibility is always there. If I’m physically fit and willing there’s no reason to think I won’t be back here. I want to continue, but I can’t talk about my schedule for 2026”.
McEnroe doesn’t believe the injury. “It’s much easier to judge and criticize than to understand. It’s a life lesson I learned”.
Murray on the bench. “We haven’t talked about what will happen in the future. I’m going to thank him for coming here.”
Zverev in the final. “I will support him because he deserves to win his first Grand Slam title.”
Calendar. “I’m signed up in Doha. When I return to Europe I will have the relevant medical tests to find out the real extent of the injury.”