Novak Djokovic leaves tennis fans stunned as he abruptly RETIRES from the Australian Open after the first set of his semifinal

Novak Djokovic has sensationally retired mid-match in his Australian Open semi-final against Alexander Zverev after losing the first set.

Pockets of the crowd booed Djokovic as he left the court, with Zverev defending his rival.

‘Please, guys, don’t boo a player when he goes out with injury,’ he said.

‘I know, I know that everybody paid for tickets and everybody paid for tickets and everybody wants to see hopefully a great 5-set match and everything.

‘But you’ve got to understand, Novak Djokovic is somebody who has given this sport for the past 20 years absolute everything of his life.

‘He has won this tournament with an abdominal tear. He has won this tournament with a hamstring tear. If he cannot continue a tennis match, it really means he cannot continue a tennis match.’

Djokovic has been battling injury throughout the Australian Open and retired after the first set in his semi final

Djokovic embraces Alexander Zverev after the 80 minute first set that ended his Open campaign

MORE TO FOLLOW: