Is 37 too late for record 25th Grand Slam as Djokovic exits Australian Open in pain

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Novak Djokovic will have to wait for a record 25th Grand Slam title after retiring hurt in the Australian Open semifinals against Alexander Zverev on Friday. The Serbian's upper left leg had been heavily hurt following an injury he sustained during the quarterfinal win over Carlos Alcaraz.
Djokovic gave his best against Zverev for a little over an hour before calling time after losing the first set 7-6 (5).
Later, a dejected Djokovic said he gave it his best despite being in severe pain. The 37-year-old said he had not practised tennis for nearly three days as the focus was on recovering for the semifinals. “I didn't hit the ball since Alcaraz match until like an hour before today's match,” Djokovic said.
Djokovic had taken a lengthy medical timeout after the first set against Spaniard Alcaraz before posting a thrilling win. “I did everything possible to basically manage the muscle tear that I had and medications. I guess the strap and the physio work helped to some extent. But towards the end of that first set I started feeling more and more pain and it was too much to handle. Unfortunate ending, but I tried.”
Australian Ken Rosewall holds the record for the oldest men's Grand Slam win. He claimed his eighth major at the 1972 Australia Open at the age of 37 years, one month and 24 days. Roger Federer's last Grand Slam win (2018, Australian Open) came when he was 36. Djokovic too was 36 when he claimed his most recent Grand Slam (2023, US Open).
Djokovic won the Paris Olympic gold in 2024, but the year was devoid of a Grand Slam title. He was bidding to be the most successful tennis player of all time, hoping to edge the legendary Margaret Court, with whom he was tied for 24 Grand Slam singles wins. Djokovic, like Court, won his first Grand Slam in Melbourne (2008). Whether it would have been his last major had he broken Court's record on his 22nd visit to the Australian Open remains unclear.