Thu Jan 23 05:38:41 UTC 2025: ## Djokovic’s Thigh Injury Clouds Australian Open Semifinal Hopes
**Melbourne, Australia** – Novak Djokovic’s participation in Friday’s Australian Open semifinal against Alexander Zverev is in doubt after the Serbian star skipped practice Wednesday due to a thigh injury sustained during his grueling quarterfinal victory.
Djokovic, who battled through three hours and 37 minutes against Carlos Alcaraz, revealed he considered retiring from the match after suffering the injury in the first set. He received a medical timeout, took painkillers, and played on, ultimately securing a hard-fought 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 win. The victory marked his 50th Grand Slam semifinal appearance, but the severity of his thigh injury remains unclear.
The 37-year-old admitted to Eurosport that he was unsure how he would react to the pain and even considered retirement, stating, “I wanted [to be emotionless]… I have to admit that I was considering that. I didn’t know how I’d react.” He acknowledged the crowd’s apprehension, sensing their uncertainty as his movement was visibly affected.
Despite the win, skepticism surrounding the injury’s severity has emerged. Following comments from John McEnroe suggesting Alcaraz not be “fooled,” former US Open champion Andy Roddick expressed doubt on his podcast, stating Djokovic’s movement was “as well as I’ve seen Novak move in 18 months, maybe two years.” This has fueled speculation about the true extent of the injury.
Djokovic faces a monumental challenge in Friday’s semifinal against a strong Zverev. His ability to recover sufficiently to compete remains to be seen. The world will be watching closely to see if the tennis legend can overcome his physical setback and advance to the final.
First Piper 