Djokovic posts MRI of hamstring, takes shot at injury 'experts'

Novak Djokovic hit out at injury "experts," posting a scan of his left hamstring on social media in an apparent rebuttal to those who criticized him for retiring from his Australian Open semifinal against Alexander Zverev.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion stopped play Friday after losing the first set to Zverev, saying afterward that his muscle was "torn." He was booed by some members of the crowd inside Rod Laver Arena while walking off the court.

Djokovic responded by putting a picture of his MRI on X, though he didn't offer any additional information regarding the specific nature of his ailment or a timeline for his return.

Zverev, for his part, chastised the fans who booed Djokovic after the Serbian icon's retirement from the match.

"I know that everybody paid for tickets and everybody wants to see hopefully a great five-set match," Zverev said during his on-court interview. "But you've got to understand - Novak Djokovic is somebody that has given this sport, for the past 20 years, absolutely everything of his life."

Djokovic, initially hurt during his thrilling quarterfinal victory over Carlos Alcaraz, has been increasingly hampered by injuries in recent years.

The 37-year-old began the semifinal encounter with heavy strapping around his leg, and said the pain eventually became unbearable.

"Towards the end of that first set, I just started feeling more and more pain," he explained. "It was too much, I guess, to handle for me at the moment. Unfortunate ending, but I tried."