Novak Djokovic is not planning on stopping despite his mounting injury issues, as he reiterated his goal to win more grand slam titles. (More Tennis News)
🐈Djokovic shocked the crowd at Melbourne Park on Friday when, just after losing the first set of his semi-final against Alexander Zverev 7-5 (7-6), he retired due to injury.
🎀The 37-year-old had sustained the issue during his epic tussle with Carlos Alcaraz, and had heavy strapping around his left leg at Rod Laver Arena.
🐠Djokovic has now pulled out of two of the last four grand slams due to injury, having withdrawn from last year's French Open prior to his quarter-final tie with Casper Ruud.
𝔉However, he insists he is set on winning more major titles, as he remains level with Margaret Court on 24 grand slam crowns.
💝"It's not like I'm worrying approaching every grand slam now whether I'm going to get injured or not, but statistics are against me in a way in the last couple of years," said Djokovic, who explained he had not been able to practice since his win over Alcaraz.
ꦛ"So it is true that, you know, getting injured quite a bit last few years. I don't know what exactly is the reason for that, you know?
𝄹"Maybe several different factors. But I'll keep going. You know, I'll keep striving to win more slams. And as long as I feel that I want to put up with all of this, I'll be around."
ꦅDjokovic, who could have become the oldest men's singles finalist at the Australian Open in the Open Era, is scheduled to play in Qatar next month, but acknowledged he is unsure of how long he will need to recover.
﷽The 10-time Australian Open champion was jeered by some sections of the crowd at Rod Laver Arena after his retirement, and when asked if his 100th match at Melbourne Park might have been his last, Djokovic replied: "I don't know. There is a chance.
💜"I'll just have to see how the season goes. I want to keep going. But whether I'm going to have a revised schedule or not for the next year, I'm not sure.
♈"I normally like to come to Australia to play. I've had the biggest success in my career here. So if I'm fit, healthy, motivated, I don't see a reason why I wouldn't come. But there's always a chance."
😼Djokovic explained he may have carried on had he won the first set, which lasted 82 minutes, but did say the injury was only getting worse and, at best, he would have only lasted "half a set, maybe a set".
𒉰The Serbian great defeated Alcaraz, Jiri Lehecka, Tomas Machac, Jaime Faria and Nishesh Basavareddy en route to his 12th Australian Open semi-final, a tally bettered only by Roger Federer (13).
🌜"I actually thought I played really well, as well as I played the last 12 months, to be honest. I liked my chances if I was physically fit and ready to battle," he added.
𒆙"I liked my chances today. Of course, it was never going to be an easy battle, an easy match for me. Neither for Sascha, even if I was not injured. But I think I was striking the ball very well.
📖"A lot of positives to take in terms of how I played. They're very good results considering the circumstances. But it's not satisfying to me, for my standards. I always look for the highest goal, to reach the final and fight for a trophy."
♉Zverev has made his first Australian Open final, and his third at the majors overall. He is yet to win a grand slam title, but Djokovic is rooting for the German.
🌟He said: "I wish Sascha all the best. He deserves his first slam. I'll be cheering for him. Hopefully, he can get it here."
