Djokovic faces injury setback, uncertain for Australian Open return

Novak Djokovic retired from the Australian Open semi-final against Alexander Zverev due to a muscle injury, marking his second consecutive year of semi-final exits at the tournament. Djokovic, who is approaching 38, acknowledged the physical toll of his career and the challenge of injuries, stating, 'Injury is the biggest enemy of a professional athlete.' Despite his disappointment, he remains determined to continue competing, targeting a record 25th Grand Slam title, which he hopes to achieve as long as he feels fit and motivated. He expressed uncertainty about whether he would return to the Australian Open next year, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of injuries. Djokovic's retirement came after he had previously battled through physical issues during the tournament, including a medical timeout in his quarter-final match against Carlos Alcaraz. His current focus is on recovery and evaluating his future in the sport.