"Whoever doubts Novak Djokovic, should be punished with perpetual silence" - Andrea Petkovic shuts down Serb's critics after Australian Open run
Former German tennis player Andrea Petkovic recently defended Novak Djokovic against critics following his semifinal run at the 2025 Australian Open. The Serb reached the final four at the Grand Slam tournament before being forced to retire due to an injury.
Djokovic, who was aiming to win his 11th Melbourne Major title, was seeded seventh at the tournament. He defeated the likes of wildcard Nishesh Basavareddy, qualifier Jaime Faria, 26th seed Tomas Machac, and 24th seed Jiri Lehecka in the first four rounds.
In the quarterfinals, the 24-time Grand Slam champion triumphed over third seed Carlos Alcaraz to secure a spot in the semifinals, where he faced eventual runner-up Alexander Zverev. However, the Serb had to withdraw from the match after the first set due to a muscle tear in his upper left leg, with the score at 7-6(5).
While reflecting on Novak Djokovic's performance at the 2025 Australian Open, Andrea Petkovic praised his resilience and skill. She stated that those who had doubted the former World No.1 should be punished with "perpetual silence" after witnessing his performance at the tournament.
Petkovic expressed that she herself could not believe how the 37-year-old was able to stand strong and compete at such a high level against younger opponents.
“Whoever doubts Novak’s tennis ever again whether Novak’s 37 years old or 55 years old should from this day forth be punished with perpetual silence. Yes, I’m talking about myself . It’s not that I ever doubted the quality of tennis necessarily, it’s just that I couldn’t quite believe he would be able to retain enough explosiveness to hang with the young guys," Andrea Petkovic wrote on Substack.
Andrea Petkovic also mentioned that Novak Djokovic "played better than ever" against Tomas Machac, Jiri Lehecka, and Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open.
“Novak still has it and I would argue for three matches (Machac, Lehecka and Alcaraz) he played better than ever. He was still the same consistent percentage player who never misses but conscious of his age he hit the ball bigger and changed directions more frequently, yet still undetectable for the opposing side," she added.
Petkovic also talked about the Serb's physical fitness and how the very thing that has been the driving force behind one of the greatest players of the sport has been his undoing recently.
“The body that has served Novak Djokovic so bloody well, for so long" - Andrea Petkovic on the Serb's physical fitness being a hurdle
![Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open [Image Source: Getty Images]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/01/7945e-17379960388227-1920.jpg?w=500)
In her aforementioned blog, Andrea Petkovic predicted that Novak Djokovic will secure his 25th Grand Slam title in 2025. She also praised his remarkable physical fitness, considering he is 37 years old.
“I truly believe he would get 25 in ‘25. Until his body let him down. That is the only thing that can continue to be an issue at 37 years old - the body that has served him so bloody well for so long. Our strengths become our weaknesses become our strengths again. The circle of life," Petkovic wrote.
Petkovic reiterated that she will never doubt the Serb's tennis prowess again after witnessing his impressive performance at the 2025 Australian Open.
“But one thing’s for sure: This one right here will never doubt Novak’s tennis again. 23, 37 or 45. Years are just numbers that fade in the rearview mirror, but titles stay forever," she added.
Novak Djokovic last won the Australian Open in 2023, after defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final.