Novak Djokovic’s relationship with the Australian Open has been nothing short of legendary — ten titles, a record-breaking Grand Slam final, and a series of unforgettable five-set battles. However, his emotional exit from the 2025 tournament on Friday may have marked a bitter and unexpected end to his storied career at Melbourne Park. After struggling with an injury and ultimately retiring during his semi-final match against Alexander Zverev, Djokovic waved goodbye to the Australian crowd, but his farewell was met with boos from sections of the audience.
Despite the competitive nature of the opening set, which Zverev claimed 7-6, the crowd’s reaction to Djokovic’s withdrawal seemed harsh, given the circumstances. The Serbian champion had not practiced for more than two days, yet still fought valiantly before succumbing to the injury. The unsettling response from the fans left many questioning their treatment of a player who has given so much to the sport.
After the match, former world No. 1 Justine Henin expressed her disappointment with the crowd’s behavior, emphasizing the historical context of Djokovic’s achievements. “Djokovic has lived his best moments here but also a detention three years ago,” Henin reflected in an interview with Eurosport. “Today, it was an ugly moment, in my opinion. We can’t accept that for a player who gave so much today, but also in the history of this sport.”
Henin continued, urging a more nuanced perspective: “We understand that people paid for this game, but we need to have nuance. Djokovic has very rarely abandoned a Grand Slam. He is 37 years old, and he still comes here to give his best. It’s not logical with the champion he is. He was right to react.” Henin’s comments underscore the importance of respecting a player’s effort, especially one who has become a tennis icon.
Bárbara Schett, a former player herself, also weighed in on the unsporting behavior, calling the crowd’s reaction “horrible.” Schett, who was visibly shocked by the boos, stressed that injuries are an unpredictable part of the game, making it impossible for fans to expect a match to always unfold as planned. “You never know in tennis, in sports, anything can happen. You can get injured, and clearly, he was so injured he couldn’t continue,” Schett said. “Yes, the tickets are expensive, but again, that’s sports. It’s not like you buy a ticket for a movie and you know this is going on for two hours and you’re going to be there from start to finish. No, you could be there for an hour and a half only, but you could also be there for five hours and that’s the beauty about tennis because you never know what happens.”
Laura Robson, former British No. 1 and fellow Eurosport commentator, echoed Henin and Schett’s views, expressing disappointment at the way Djokovic was treated. “To hear that as Novak’s walking out, for anyone to get booed when they’re struggling with an injury, let alone someone who has won the tournament 10 times,” Robson noted. “He’s trying to reach heights in tennis that no one has achieved before. So to see him walk off, dejected, not having the support he would have wanted, is just really disappointing.”
Arnaud Clement, the French tennis veteran who once competed alongside Djokovic, was also vocal about the need for more respect toward the 24-time Grand Slam champion. He shared a similar sentiment, condemning the boos as deeply disheartening. “To hear that as Novak’s walking out, for anyone to get booed when they’re struggling with an injury, let alone someone who has won the tournament 10 times,” said Clement. “He’s trying to reach heights in tennis that no one has achieved before. So to see him walk off, dejected, not having the support he would have wanted, is just really disappointing.”
The collective criticism from tennis greats and former players highlights the unfortunate disconnect between the crowd’s expectations and the reality of what Djokovic was facing. As one of the most accomplished athletes in the history of the sport, his legacy surely deserves more respect than what was shown in those final moments on Rod Laver Arena.