Novak Djokovic injury update at Australian Open: Serb reportedly skips practice in concerning signs ahead of Alexander Zverev SF clash

Novak Djokovic’s quest for an 11th Australian Open title may have hit an unexpected roadblock as concerns over his fitness intensify ahead of his semifinal clash against Alexander Zverev. The Serb suffered a sudden injury during his quarterfinal match against Carlos Alcaraz on Tuesday, requiring a medical timeout in the first set.

Despite the setback, Djokovic displayed his trademark resilience, turning the match around to secure a four-set victory. However, uncertainty hovers over his physical condition, as the 24-time Grand Slam winner reportedly opted to skip his scheduled practice sessions on both Wednesday and Thursday.

While resting on Wednesday was expected for recovery purposes, Djokovic's decision to forgo Thursday’s session has raised eyebrows just a day before his semifinal encounter against Alexander Zverev on Friday, January 24.

Djokovic stressed the importance of recovery and expressed relief about the extra day off before his next match. His experience and ability to manage injuries have been key factors in his dominance over the years, but this situation presents a fresh challenge for the 37-year-old.

“The extra day with no match comes at a good time,” Djokovic said in the on-court interview after his QF win against Alcaraz.

With 20 years of professional experience, he is no stranger to playing through adversity, but this latest injury concern could play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of the match.

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Novak Djokovic refused to elaborate on his injury during QF clash against Carlos Alcaraz

Novak Djokovic giving an on-court interview after his quarterfinal match at 2025 Australian Open - Source: Getty

When Novak Djokovic took a medical timeout in the quarterfinal against Carlos Alcaraz during the first set, he came out with a strapping on his left thigh. In the on-court interview after the match with Jim Courier, the Serb refused to offer insights on his injury, saying:

“Since, I am still in the tournament, I don’t want to reveal too much obviously,” he said.

Later, when Jim Courier asked about his injury run at the 2023 Australian Open, which he went on to win, Djokovic shared that his injury was similar to that one.

“Yeah, back in 2023 I actually had a similar injury and carried it basically from the beginning of the tournament”

Djokovic admitted that because of his injury, he had to play more aggressively which helped him then and even now. He further added that the experience of playing with a similar kind of injury will come in handy.

While he has looked imperious throughout the tournament, questions remain about whether Novak Djokovic will be at full fitness for the high-stakes semifinal. Meanwhile, his semifinal opponent, Alexander Zverev, has been in impressive form, showcasing his powerful serve and clinical baseline game at Melbourne. The German will look to pounce on any physical limitations Djokovic may experience and disrupt his rhythm.