Exclusive: Novak Djokovic admits he considered retiring from injury during thrilling comeback win over Carlos Alcaraz
ByOli Gent
Published 21/01/2025 at 15:16 GMT
Novak Djokovic has said that he considered retiring mid-match during his stunning four-set victory over Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open. The Serb, the world No. 7, won in four sets - 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 - on Rod Laver Arena as he hunts an 11th title at Melbourne Park. He also ended Alcaraz's hopes of completing a career Grand Slam - for this year, at least.
'I have to admit I was considering that' - Djokovic says he came close to retiring in Alcaraz tie
Video credit: TNT Sports
Novak Djokovic admitted to Eurosport that he considered retiring during his thrilling quarter-final victory over Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open.
Djokovic, the 10-time champion at Melbourne Park, beat the Spaniard 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena, with the contest coming to its conclusion past 1am local time.
The Serb, seeded No. 7 in Melbourne, appeared to be struggling with an issue in his left leg at the end of the first set, whereupon he left the court to receive treatment.
Djokovic said afterwards that the medication definitely helped him, but admitted that he was considering a mid-match retirement if the pain had persisted, and if he had gone two sets down.
Speaking exclusively to Eurosport’s Barbara Schett afterwards, the 24-time Grand Slam champion spoke of the pride he had for himself after battling through the pain to emerge victorious.
He progresses into the last four, where he faces Alexander Zverev, with that match to be shown live on Eurosport and discovery+.
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"I wanted [to be emotionless]," Djokovic told Schett. "We both feed off the energy of the crowd.
"The crowd was also a bit hesitant to cheer for one or the other. They didn’t know what was happening; they saw I wasn’t moving as well. Maybe they expected me to retire.
"I have to admit that I was considering that. I didn’t know how I’d react.
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"A great win. Very proud of this performance. I keep on going. I’ve got another paramount challenge on Friday against Zverev, who is in red-hot form.
"It’s just trying to be able to move now and produce my best tennis."
This was not the first time that the 37-year-old has been plagued by injury at the year’s first major tournament, as Djokovic looked back at 2021 and 2023, when he was forced to play through the pain barrier.
Both times he won the coveted trophy, and he is two wins away from making it to 11 Australian Open crowns.
"You don’t want to be playing with an injury, but you have to adapt to the circumstances and whatever you’re facing on the court," Djokovic said.
"It’s not the first time for me, and particularly here in Australia. In 2021 and 2023, I had similar things.
"It did happen in 2023 at the beginning of the tournament, and in '21, it happened in the third round. I played some of the best tennis after that.
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"I have an extra day off. Hopefully that will help. Once I cool down, I will know what the reality is.
"The medication definitely helped, and the strapping. It has been one of the best battles and matches on this court - on any court.
"Carlos is an incredible player; big respect for him. He always brings his A-game, particularly on the big stage.
"I had to do better than I have done the entire tournament, and I think I did great in the second, third, and fourth sets, especially in the fourth with some incredible rallies.
"How I got out of that trouble towards the end of the fourth set, I’m just super pleased to get through."
Djokovic said that the only way to remedy the pain was to in fact "go for more".
"It’s true that in this kind of situation, you have to go for more," he explained.
"I didn’t want to stay in rallies too long. I saw that he was checking my side of the court than his side in the second set.
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'One and a half legs' did the job for Djokovic, wishes Alcaraz clash had been 'the finals'
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"He was looking at how I was moving. He played quite a few dropshots, trying to stretch me. I tried to protect my position on the court, and go for my shots. It paid off.
"I played a great game, 5-4 in the second set. It was easier from that end, with the wind on your back and in your sails. You can go through the ball more, and it slows down the serve of your opponent.
"Then, at the beginning of the third, I played well. I started to move better and I started to slide, so I was happy that I was able to stay with him in rallies more.
"I felt like he backed up a bit. It was cat and mouse in the fourth. I had to take another dose of medication because I started to feel more pain.
"All in all, I’m very proud of myself. Carlos is an incredible competitor. He always brings the best and demands the best of his opponents on the court. Great win."
In his on-court interview with Jim Courier, Djokovic did not want to give much away on the details of his injury, similar to that of Jannik Sinner, who struggled in his last 16 match against Holger Rune on Monday.
"With my two legs and two arms [I won the match], I guess. One and a half legs," Djokovic joked.
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"My utmost respect to and admiration for Carlos, for what he has achieved in his young career. What a terrific guy he is, and he is an even better competitor.
"Youngest ever No. 1 in the world, in the history of our sport. Four Grand Slams, and I’m sure we’re going to see a lot of him.
"Maybe not as much as I would like, but he’s going to be there for sure, longer than me. I just wish that this match was the final.
"Since I’m still in the tournament, I don’t want to reveal too much [on the injury].
"The medication started to kick in. It helped, no doubt, I had to take another dose. This sounds awful, me taking another dose, but I had to.
"It didn’t bother me, or create any hindrance towards the end of the match. Only in that second set."
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