Novak Djokovic has heartbreakingly revealed he thinks Australian Open fans 'don't want to understand' him following his withdrawal from the tournament on Friday.
The tennis icon was forced to pull out due to injury after losing the first set to Alexander Zverev, who will now take place in Sunday's final.
As Djokovic made his way off the court, boos were heard around the Rod Laver Arena.
John McEnroe criticised the behaviour of supporters, while Zverev also pleaded with them to see reason.
Novak Djokovic has heartbreakingly revealed he thinks Australian Open fans 'don't want to understand' him following his withdrawal from the tournament on Friday
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Djokovic has always been a player who feels as though he's fighting against the world and his treatment in Australia this winter has been hard for him to cope with at times.
Prior to the match, he was mocked by Australian broadcaster Tony Jones - who issued an apology for his comments.
And Djokovic has now expressed a belief that fans 'don't want' to understand him and his decision to give up on a record 25th Grand Slam title.
“I don’t know what to say... people have come, they paid for the tickets expecting a great match and a big fight, which they didn’t get," stated the former world No 1.
“From that perspective, I can understand. I am doing my best to understand them, but I am not sure whether they understand me or if they even want to understand me.
“I know how my body works, what I feel, and I know how much I’ve given to this tournament in the past 20 plus years. I will stop here, so that I don’t continue in the wrong direction.”
Djokovic also admitted that injury is the 'biggest enemy' of an athlete.
"It is what it is," he said. "Injury is the biggest enemy of a professional athlete.
READ MORE: Andy Murray makes 'embarrassing' admission after Novak Djokovic quits Australian Open
"That's the beauty of one-on-one sport, [it] is such that there is no replacement, there is no substitution.
"I could not go out now after first set and somebody comes in for me and then I rest for an hour, and maybe come back or maybe come back for the next match and my team wins.
"It doesn't happen in our sport. If you in a way don't show up and if something is wrong, you're out.
"But that's, again, the sport we are part of. I love it."
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Novak Djokovic cast doubt on his tennis future following his decision to pull out of the Australian Open
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With Djokovic set to turn 38 in May, it's understandable that he's exercising caution when it comes to his latest injury.
But whether he returns for a crack at an 11th Australian Open crown remains to be seen.
Djokovic has fuelled talk he could potentially retire. He said: “I’ll just have to see how the season goes.
"I want to keep going, but whether I’m going to have a revised schedule or not for the next year, I’m not sure.
Novak Djokovic was backed by Alexander Zverev after pulling out of the Australian Open
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“I normally like to come to Australia to play. I’ve had the biggest success in my career here.
"So if I’m fit, healthy, motivated, I don’t see a reason why I wouldn’t come. But there’s always a chance."
