Djokovic takes jab at injury ‘experts’ with MRI photo of left hamstring
Novak Djokovic of Serbia gestures as he leaves Rod Laver Arena after retiring in his semifinal match against Alexander Zverev of Germany at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
MELBOURNE, Australia — Novak Djokovic posted a scan of his injured left hamstring on social media early Sunday, more than 24 hours after being booed at the Australian Open when he quit playing one set into his semifinal because of what he said at his news conference was a torn muscle.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion put the picture of the MRI taken Saturday on X and wrote: “Thought I’d leave this here for all the sports injury ‘experts’ out there.”
He did not offer any additional information, such as the exact diagnosis he might have received or any timeline for his recovery.
READ: Novak Djokovic vows to strive for more after latest injury
Thought I’d leave this here for all the sports injury “experts” out there. pic.twitter.com/ZO5mBtw9zB
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 25, 2025
The 37-year-old Djokovic stopped his match against Alexander Zverev after dropping the opening set in a tiebreaker on Friday. After shaking hands with Zverev and the chair umpire, Djokovic gathered his equipment and started walking toward the locker room.
Some of the spectators in Rod Laver Arena jeered him. Djokovic put both of his thumbs up before leaving.
During his on-court interview, Zverev chastised those who booed Djokovic.
“I know that everybody paid for tickets and everybody wants to see hopefully a great five-set match,” Zverev said. “But you’ve got to understand — Novak Djokovic is somebody that has given this sport, for the past 20 years, absolutely everything of his life.”
Djokovic had been hurt late in the first set of his previous match, a four-set victory against Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals on Tuesday night.
READ: Australian Open: Novak Djokovic retires injured to put Zverev in final
Djokovic finished that match with tape on his upper left leg and had a similar wrap at the start against Zverev.
“I did everything I possibly can to basically manage the muscle tear that I had,” Djokovic said at his news conference Friday.
“Towards the end of that first set, I just started feeling more and more pain,” he said. “It was too much, I guess, to handle for me at the moment. Unfortunate ending, but I tried.”
