Australian Open: Zverev in the final, Djokovic has to give up

Alexander Zverev is in the final of the Australian Open for the first time. His opponent, the record tournament winner Novak Djokovic (ten titles), had to retire due to injury after the first set, which Zverev won 7:6 (7:5).

In the final on Sunday (9:30 a.m.), Zverev will face either Jannik Sinner (Italy/No. 1) or Ben Shelton (USA/No. 21), who will play the second semi-final in the night session in Melbourne.

Zverev in a Grand Slam final for the third time

For Zverev it is the third time he has reached a Grand Slam final. At the US Open 2020 (against Dominic Thiem) and at the French Open last year (against Carlos Alcaraz), the Hamburg native had to admit defeat in five sets.

Zverev now has a great chance in Melbourne to become the first German Grand Slam winner in men's singles since Boris Becker in 1996. For Zverev it is already the 36th attempt at a title at one of the four most important tennis tournaments.

Against Djokovic, Zverev also emerged victorious for the first time at a Grand Slam tournament; the Serb had won the previous three major duels. After the semi-final defeat, Djokovic still has to wait for his 25th major title and thus the sole cross-gender record – he shares the record with the Australian Margaret Court.

Zverev: “Maybe it's time for me”

“I'm happy to be in the final of the Australian Open. I have experienced severe defeats. Maybe it's time for me to have a bit of luck in a Grand Slam final“Zverev said in the on-court interview. He had previously shown his respect to Djokovic, who was farewelled with a few boos after the withdrawal, which was a complete surprise to everyone.”There is no one I respect as much as Novak.”

Djokovic has in the past 20 years “absolutely everything for the sport of tennis“said Zverev towards the audience in the Rod Laver Arena.”Show him some love. I know everyone paid money and everyone wants to see a great match. But please don't boo a player if he has to retire due to injury.“

Djokovic: “torn muscle” after match against Alcaraz

Record champion Djokovic then spoke of a “Muscle tear” in the thigh. After the quarter-final win against Carlos Alcaraz, he “didn't hit a ball anymore,” said the Serb: “I did everything I could. Medication and physio work helped, but towards the end of the first set I started to feel more and more pain. It was too much for me, An unhappy ending, but I tried.”

Djokovic had his left thigh treated during his dramatic quarter-final win against Alcaraz. In the semi-final against Zverev he competed with a bandage. Djokovic had problems with his serve early on and appeared physically weak in some scenes, especially as the first set turned into a mammoth 80-minute event. Zverev dictated the action and had more opportunities and break chances, but Djokovic saved himself in the tiebreak.

There Zverev remained powerful, stable when serving and patient, even during the unnerving long rallies. Djokovic put a manageable volley into the net on the first set point – and gave up the match immediately afterwards.