Novak Djokovic abandoned the central track of Melbourne Pulgares above Friday. But not. I hadn’t won. The 37-year-old Serbian and winner of 10 titles in Australia, chose to retire when he had already given up a set in front of German Alexander Zverev (7-6 (5) and the clock reflected 1h 21m of the game, and met the Sonora Repriment of the Australian stand.
His adversary and friend, Zverev, addressed the attendees when contemplating the scene. Microphone in hand, the German, 27 years old and number two in the world, he said after achieving access to the final: “Please, guys, do not boo a player when he is injured. I know they paid their tickets and wanted to see a great game to five sets … but Novak has given his life for this sport during the last 20 years. He has won this tournament with an abdominal tear, with a tear in the thigh … and if he can’t continue playing, he can’t. Please, thirst respectful and show some love for Novak. ”
Subsequently, the 24 great champion was asked about the matter for the reporters of his country. And, hurt, he lamented in statements collected by the sports environment Sport Klub: “People came here, paid the tickets and waited for a fight, but they did not get it. From that perspective, I understand. I try at least understand them, I don’t know if they understand me or want to understand me. I know what I feel, how much I have given this tournament during the last 20 years. So I’m going to stop [de hablar]not to continue in the wrong direction… ”
This week, the American John Mcenroe hinted during a broadcast on the ESPN channel that the Serbian was not injured: “Do not fool yourself.” However, after the episode of the whistles he went out and requested support for Belgrade: “They should not boo him, please! He has won here ten times, for the love of God! It’s amazing, here is a serious problem. He and Rafa Nadal have fought more than anyone. Boar Djokovic for retiring after everything he has achieved here is complete stupidity, almost as sad as the end of the game. ”
