Novak Djokovic finally had to leave Melbourne Park without fulfilling the desire for a record 25th Grand Slam title in the ongoing Australian Open after a muscle injury. 

He retired injured after losing the first set 7-6(5) to Alexander Zverev in the semi-final and the 10-time champion made a pained exit from Rod Laver Arena amid booing from sections of the crowd. 

But the Serbian superstar does not seem to have stopped his hunt for the title.

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 quarterfinal 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.

Djokovic came into the match under a cloud after a draining but brilliant quarterfinal win over Carlos Alcaraz in which he took a lengthy medical timeout after the first set.

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.

"I actually thought I played well, as well as I played the last 12 months, to be honest," Djokovic said.

"I liked my chances today, a lot of positives to take in terms of how I played semifinals. It's a very good result considering the circumstances. But it’s not satisfying to me, you know, for my standards. I always look for the highest goal, to reach the finals and fight for a trophy,” he added.

On his new partnership with Andy Murray, who helped the Serb prepare for the year’s first Grand Slam, Djokovic was not sure if they would continue together.