In a dramatic turn of events at the 2025 Australian Open, world No. 1 Novak Djokovic was forced to retire mid-match during his quarterfinal against Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff. Djokovic, who was leading 6-7 (7-5) after the first set, called it a day due to a left leg injury, marking a significant early exit from his pursuit of a record-breaking 23rd Grand Slam title.
The Serbian tennis star, who had been dealing with a suspected abdominal strain since his third-round match, was seen with his leg heavily bandaged throughout the tournament. At 36 years old, Djokovic had shown signs of discomfort in previous rounds, particularly during his challenging victory over Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz in the round of 16.
Following his retirement, Djokovic released a statement urging fans to show respect and understanding for injured players, saying, "If a player is injured, please don't boo. I know everyone bought a ticket and hopes for a complete war, but please show some respect for the player." His absence leaves a notable void in the tournament as he was aiming for his 10th title at Melbourne Park, which would have equaled Rafael Nadal's record of 22 Grand Slam titles.
As the tennis community anticipates the final between Italy's Jannik Sinner and American Ben Shelton, Djokovic's early exit has left fans and pundits expressing disappointment, while also acknowledging his resilience and sportsmanship in competing through injuries. The future of Djokovic's career remains uncertain, but the impact of his performances will be felt in the history of tennis.