Novak Djokovic declares Australian Open final favourite: ‘I’ll be cheering for him’

Novak Djokovic has declared Alexander Zverev as his favourite for the Australian Open despite the German facing defending champion Jannik Sinner in the final.

Zverev progressed to his first Australian Open final after Djokovic retired injured following their semi-final on Friday, with the 10-time champion struggling with a torn muscle in his upper left leg.

Zverev is bidding to win his first grand slam title after defeats to Dominic Thiem in the 2020 US Open final and Carlos Alcaraz in the 2024 French Open final and Djokovic said the 27-year-old “deserves” his breakthrough major win.

Zverev told the Australian Open crowd to be more “respectful” after Djokovic was booed by some sections of the crowd following his abrupt retirement from the semi-final.

Djokovic said he “liked his chances” of beating Zverev if he was fully fit but the 37-year-old was full of praise for the second seed after he advanced to the final.

“I wish Sascha all the best,” Djokovic said. “He deserves his first slam. I’ll be cheering for him. Hopefully he can get it.”

Sinner is bidding to back up last year’s first grand slam triumph and the Italian is on a 20-match winning run at the hard-court grand slams having won the Australian Open and US Open titles last season and now reaching another major final.

The last player to beat Sinner at either the Australian Open or US Open was Zverev, after the German won a five-setter at Flushing Meadows in 2023. Zverev has won four of the six matches he has played against Sinner.

“Very tough match,” the Italian said after beating Ben Shelton in the semi-finals.

“We had some very tough matches in the past. He is an incredible player and is looking for his first major. There is going to be a lot of tension but I’m happy to put myself in this position. I’m going to enjoy it. Hopefully it’s going to be a good match.”