Australian Open match director Craig Tiley is assured that Novak Djokovic will return to Melbourne in 2026! The ten-time champion skilled a difficult marketing campaign in Melbourne final week, injuring his left leg and retiring within the semi-final in opposition to Alexander Zverev.
Novak sustained a hamstring harm within the quarter-final duel versus Carlos Alcaraz. Struggling together with his motion within the first half of the duel, Djokovic took a medical timeout within the closing phases of the opening set. He performed higher within the second and leveled the general rating.
The remedy labored properly in units three and 4, permitting the veteran to endure the hassle and topple world no. 3 in 4 units after almost three hours and 40 minutes. Nonetheless, Novak’s points had been removed from over!
Novak Djokovic to a heckler:
“Sorry mate. I have a wife. We can have a drink though. Maybe you have had a few already.” 😂pic.twitter.com/XBJFlnYllZ
— Danny 🐊 (@DjokovicFan_) January 17, 2025
The legend couldn’t prepare on Wednesday and Thursday, giving the whole lot together with his crew to recuperate and management the ache. Djokovic educated forward of Friday’s semi-final duel with Alexander Zverev and tried to carry out a miracle.
The ten-time champion challenged world no. 2 for 80 minutes within the opening set earlier than dropping a tie break 7-5 following a volley error. Novak felt elevated ache in his leg and retired at Majors for the primary time because the US Open 2019.
Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
The 24-time Main winner obtained boos whereas leaving the Rod Laver Enviornment. Many questioned his harm, however Djokovic silenced them on Saturday! Essentially the most completed participant of all time addressed his critics by sharing a photograph of an MRI scan.
It confirmed a hamstring harm and justified Novak’s retirement from his favourite Main. The Serb felt mighty upset throughout his post-match press convention, saying it may very well be his last journey to Melbourne. Nonetheless, the ten-time winner is raring to compete at Rod Laver Enviornment in 2026.
Tiley doesn’t doubt that we are going to see Djokovic in motion Down Underneath no less than yet one more time, praising the Serb’s dedication. Novak won’t compete on the upcoming Davis Cup tie between Serbia and Denmark. The veteran hopes to recuperate for the ATP 500 occasion in Doha.
Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
“There were talks about Novak competing in Melbourne for the last time. Novak will return next year. He left Melbourne on Monday with his family. I look forward to catching up with Novak in the upcoming weeks, and we will see him back in Melbourne next January.
He had a good warm-up before his match against Zverev. He and his team were confident that he would be able to compete. I have not met a player who focuses and does as much pre-preparation as Novak. He would do everything in his power to step in and play,” Craig Tiley mentioned.
