Novak Djokovic says that pain, both physical and emotional, is too intense to make a decision about his future with Andy Murray as coach, but suggested that he would be interested in continuing the association.
The 37 -year -old man went straight to hug Murray after his incredible victory against Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals. But that was achieved despite a muscular tear and was forced to retire after losing the first set of his semifinal against Alexander Zverev.
When asked when he would leave and Murray from here, Djokovic replied: “We were both disappointed with what just happened, so we don't talk about future steps.” We are so fresh out of the court.
“I will definitely talk to Andy and thank you for being with me, I will give my opinion, which of course is positive, and I will see how you feel and take the next step.”
'We are still exalted and disappointed, so it is a bit difficult to change page and start talking about what are the next steps. I think we both need to calm down a little and then chat.
While a clearly devastated Djokovic admitted that it was too early to say how long it would take him to recover, he seemed hopeful to return to the tournament that has won a record of 10 times.
Will this sad vision be the last one that the Australian Open fans will see of Novak Djokovic? The Serbian icon did not commit to his future in the game after his surprise departure on Friday, but expressed a hopeful note about his return.
To make matters worse, multitude sectors booed the 37 -year -old when he left the court.
Djokovic said he will discuss his future with coach Andy Murray (in the photo watching the semifinal) once both have become a little less exalted.
'I don't know. There is a possibility (I will not return), 'he said.
'Who knows? I will have to see how the season is going.
“I want to move on, but I am not sure whether I will have a revised or not for next year.
'I usually like to come to Australia to play. I have had the greatest success in my career here.
“So if I am in the form, healthy and motivated, I do not see any reason why it would not come.”
Speaking after the victory in Alcaraz over his hug with Murray, Djokovic said: “I feel more connected to Andy. We face challenges every day. People do not see that obviously.
'We try to take advantage of every day and grow together. He has been as committed to my career and this tournament as it can be.
“So it was a gesture of appreciation, respect for him and the fact that he is out there and does not need to be.” He agreed to work with me. He is giving me all his support to me, the whole team, and is trying to work.
In the image: the moment when the 24 times Grand Slam champion approached the referee's chair to retire from the game.
A clearly shattered djokovic had no idea how long it would take him to recover from the injury, or if he will have to operate under a 'revised calendar' during the rest of the year.
'This was a great victory for all of us, including Andy and I, for the relationship. Yes, that's why I went to him, because I felt very grateful to be there. “
Zverev, who will play against Ben Shelton or Jannik Sinner for the title on Sunday, defended his opponent after he was booed by sectors of the crowd in the Rod Laver Arena.
“Please, boys, don't boo a player when he is injured,” Zverev said in an interview on the court.
“I know that everyone paid tickets and everyone wants to see, hopefully, a great game of five sets and everything.”
“But you have to understand that Novak Djokovic is someone who has given this sport during the last 20 years absolutely everything in his life.”
To the criticisms of the German star, the former Australian player John Millman and the legend of the tennis Tennis John Mcenroe, who commented for the host channel Channel Nine.
“I just think a disaster is a bit, part of the behavior (of the crowd) has crossed the line, and that (the reaction to the withdrawal of Djokovic) takes the palm for me … I do not care how much you have spent on His ticket has some respect, “said Millman.
'They (the crowd) cannot boo it, for the love of God. He has won it 10 times. Unreal, “Mcenroe said.
“We all asked ourselves how the game was going to spend with Carlos Alcaraz.
But he was driving things. Clearly, things were tight, with Zverev taking out their nerves. It was a very disputed set.
'Error failed the volley and I thought I was not going to fail it.
“And the next thing you know is that the only happy boy at the stadium was Zverev. When he put his hands … the look in his eyes was like,” What? “We were all like,” Oh, my God. “