Novak Djokovic, a ten-time champion of the Australian Open, revealed that he experienced a muscle tear during his quarterfinal match against Carlos Alcaraz, which ultimately compelled him to withdraw from his semifinal match on Friday.

The injury to his left leg caused him to retire after playing just one set against Alexander Zverev, who is set to compete against top-seeded Jannik Sinner in the men’s final on Sunday. As Djokovic left the court, he was met with boos from the audience, prompting Zverev to request that fans show some respect.

“I did everything within my power to manage the muscle injury,” Djokovic said after the match. “I used medications, a support strap, and worked with my physios, which helped somewhat, but as the first set progressed, the pain intensified. It became increasingly unbearable.”

“I realized that even if I were to win the first set, it would be an enormous challenge to maintain my physical condition and keep up with him in rallies for an extended period. I simply didn’t have the stamina today. It’s a disappointing conclusion, but I gave it my all.”

At 37 years old, Djokovic expressed uncertainty about his recovery timeline and did not confirm if this would mark his final tournament in Australia. The next Grand Slam event on the calendar is the French Open in Paris, starting on May 25.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion is also expected to participate in the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha, beginning on February 17.

“Once I return to Europe, I will meet with my medical team and physiotherapists to determine the best approach for a swift recovery,” Djokovic stated.

“I still plan to compete in the Doha tournament in a few weeks, but whether I’ll be able to play will depend on how quickly I heal. It all hinges on how my muscle responds to the treatment.”