Novak Djokovic v Alexander Zverev; Jannik Sinner v Ben Shelton results, scores, schedule, draw, how to watch
Australian Open finalist Alexander Zverev is still processing how he went from a set ahead to being in the men’s final on Sunday.
The No.2 seed won the first set 7-6 before 10-time champion Novak Djokovic retired from the match after an injury flared that had troubled him during his quarter-final victory over Carlos Alcaraz.
Alexander Zverev speaks to Jim Courier.Credit: AP
Zverev said in his on-court interview there was no one he respected more than his Serbian opponent.
“We were playing long, physical rallies, in the tie-break I did see him struggle maybe a bit more,” Zverev said.
“I’m happy on one side to be in the final of the Australian Open, I’m in the final of a grand slam but on the other hand, I am being 100 per cent honest, there’s no guy on the tour that I respect more than Novak.
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“He’s been one of my closest friends on tour. When I struggled I could always text him, I could always ask him for advice.
“I was speaking to him for hours in Shanghai when I struggled after the US Open defeat in the quarter-finals when I was struggling a lot.
“I wanted this to be a tough match, he has won this tournament 10 times, again, I have nothing but respect for him.“
Zverev also recalled he had faced an injured Djokovic before and still struggled to get ahead of him.
Alexander Zverev plays a forehand in his semi-final against Novak Djokovic.Credit: Eddie Jim
“I played against him in 2021 when he had an abdominal tear and he served 28 aces against me,” Zverev said.
“I have to play 100 per cent. I played probably one of my best sets of the tournaments, and won 7-6 in the tiebreak while he was injured. Maybe I’m not that good. Maybe Novak is too good for the sport. I don’t know what to say.”
