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Defiant Djokovic still targeting Grand Slam wins after Australia setback
Djokovic retired injured after losing the first set 7-6(5) to Alexander Zverev and the 10-times champion made a pained exit from Rod Laver Arena amid booing from sections of the crowd.
It was his second injury setback at the Grand Slams in a year, having pulled out of the French Open with a knee problem before his quarter-final against Casper Ruud.
Four months before his 38th birthday, time may be catching up on the Serbian great but he remained adamant he had more to give in the twilight of an extraordinary career.
“It’s not like I’m worrying approaching every Grand Slam now whether I’m going to get injured or not, but statistics are against me in a way in the last couple of years,” he told reporters.
“So it is true that (I am) getting injured quite a bit the last few years.
“I don’t know what exactly is the reason for that. Maybe several different factors.
“But I’ll keep going. You know, I’ll keep striving to win more Slams. And as long as I feel that I want to put up with all of this, I’ll be around.”
The Serb said he might have continued to battle on if he had won the first set but questioned whether it would have been worth it.
Though “upset and disappointed”, Djokovic was ultimately philosophical, saying he would cheer for Zverev as the German bids for his first Grand Slam title after defeats in two finals.