The 2025 Australian Open witnessed a dramatic turn of events in the men’s semi-final clash between Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev. After a tightly contested first set, which Zverev edged out 7-6(7), a stunned Rod Laver Arena crowd watched as Djokovic unexpectedly announced his withdrawal from the match due to a muscle injury. The former World No. 1’s decision ignited a wave of mixed reactions, ranging from disbelief to outright anger among the spectators.

The post-match press conference revealed further details. Djokovic confirmed a muscle tear, stating he would seek proper medical evaluation upon leaving Australia. However, the immediate aftermath in court was far less clinical.

The Melbourne crowd’s displeasure manifested in a chorus of boos as Djokovic, seemingly unfazed, simply offered a thumbs-up before exiting the stadium. Zverev, in a commendable display of sportsmanship, attempted to calm the audience during his courtside interview, urging them to refrain from booing a tennis legend like Djokovic.

The injury, sustained during Djokovic’s gruelling quarter-final victory against Carlos Alcaraz, became a point of contention. Veteran commentator John McEnroe, known for his outspoken nature, fueled speculation by publicly questioning the legitimacy of the injury, suggesting a calculated tactic to throw his opponent off balance. This added another layer of complexity to an already controversial situation, stirring debate among fans and analysts.

This dramatic turn of events further highlighted the recent addition to Djokovic’s coaching team: former rival and recently retired Andy Murray. Their collaboration, beginning this month in Melbourne, seemed poised for success.

Murray, a former World No. 1 himself, had announced his retirement after the 2024 Paris Olympics, transitioning seamlessly into coaching with Djokovic. He was visibly present courtside throughout Djokovic’s matches, offering support and guidance from the coaching box, including during the tense semi-final.

Djokovic’s withdrawal left Murray noticeably disappointed. This prompted questions about the future of their professional partnership. During the press conference, Djokovic acknowledged their shared disappointment and admitted they hadn’t had the opportunity to discuss the future of their collaboration. He emphasized the need for both of them to decompress before engaging in any serious conversations about their next steps. “We’re still hot-headed and disappointed,” he explained, “We both need to cool off a little bit and then we will have a chat.”

The unexpected turn of events underscored the complex relationship between Djokovic and Murray, who had once been fierce competitors on the court. Their 36 career encounters, a testament to their illustrious careers, saw Djokovic prevail in 25 matches, holding a significant advantage across different surfaces, particularly on hard courts.

Yet, their rivalry has given way to mutual respect and friendship, making the situation even more poignant. The future of their coaching partnership, however, remained uncertain in the wake of this unexpected setback.

Jannik Sinner, the world’s number one, continued his dominant run at the Australian Open, securing his place in the final for the second consecutive year. He achieved this impressive feat by dismantling American challenger Ben Shelton in a commanding straight-sets victory, 7-6, 6-2, 6-2.

This win not only propels Sinner into another championship match but also solidifies his place in tennis history as the youngest player to reach multiple Australian Open finals since the legendary Jim Courier accomplished the same feat in 1992 and 1993.

The match showcased a fascinating contrast in playing styles. Shelton, known for his powerful serve and aggressive baseline game, started strongly, even breaking Sinner early. He displayed flashes of brilliance, showcasing the raw power that had propelled him through earlier rounds.

However, Sinner, renowned for his tactical prowess and unwavering mental fortitude, remained unfazed. He expertly neutralized Shelton’s early dominance, weathering the storm and patiently constructing points with his precision groundstrokes.

A crucial moment arrived in the first set’s tie-break. Facing two set points, Sinner demonstrated his champion’s temperament, expertly capitalizing on Shelton’s growing frustration and errors to claim the set. From there, Sinner shifted into a higher gear. The second set witnessed a relentless display of superior skill and control.

Sinner raced to a commanding 4-0 lead, showcasing the consistency and depth of his shots, leaving Shelton struggling to find an effective response. His aggressive baseline play overwhelmed Shelton, who found himself unable to maintain pace with Sinner’s unrelenting pressure.

The third set saw a brief moment of concern as Sinner briefly sought medical attention for a left leg issue after breaking to lead 3-2. However, any worries were quickly dispelled as the Italian returned to the court with unwavering determination, securing crucial winners to seal the match and his spot in the final.

This victory sets up a captivating final against Alexander Zverev, who advanced after Novak Djokovic’s retirement due to injury in their semi-final clash. The final will feature a showdown between the tournament’s top two seeds, promising an electrifying conclusion to the Australian Open. Sinner’s journey now continues, with the chance to etch his name further into tennis history as the first Italian to claim three Grand Slam singles titles.

American tennis star Ben Shelton secured his place in the Australian Open semifinals with a thrilling four-set victory over Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego. The match, a captivating display of power tennis from both players, ended 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 in favor of the energetic Shelton. However, the quarterfinal encounter was punctuated by an unusual series of events involving the chair umpire, Tom Sweeney.

Shelton, known for his powerful serve and forehand, inadvertently struck Sweeney twice with errant shots. The first incident occurred during a forceful return of serve, where his forehand veered wildly and struck the umpire’s chair. Shelton immediately apologized, ensuring Sweeney was unharmed. The umpire, taking the situation in stride, responded positively.

The second incident occurred just a few games later. This time, Shelton shanked a forehand return, albeit on a fault serve, sending the ball with less power but directly towards Sweeney, who impressively caught the wayward shot.

This time, the umpire playfully responded with a two-fingered gesture and a smile, a reaction mirrored by Shelton, who lightheartedly acknowledged the mishap. The unexpected comedy of errors eased any tension and created an amusing, albeit unusual, moment within the match.

Prior to these incidents, there was a brief disagreement between Shelton and Sweeney over the serve clock. Shelton felt rushed, expressing his concern to the umpire. Later, Sweeney initially miscalled a double bounce, but quickly corrected his decision after reviewing the video replay. Despite these minor controversies, the relationship between Shelton and Sweeney remained largely cordial throughout.

The match itself was a high-octane affair, showcasing Shelton’s raw power and Sonego’s skilful counter-punching. Shelton’s victory was ultimately sealed in a tense fourth-set tie-break, showcasing his mental fortitude under pressure.

His impressive run continues, with a semifinal match against either hometown favourite Alex de Minaur or world number one Jannik Sinner looming. The American will aim to maintain his momentum, striving for a maiden Grand Slam final appearance in Melbourne. His journey to the semifinals is certainly a memorable one, highlighted not just by his athletic prowess but also by his humorous interactions with the umpire.