Novak Djokovic says he will return to the Australian Open next year if he is still "fit, healthy and motivated", reports BBC Sport.
The 37-year-old Serb, aiming for a record-extending 11th men's singles title, retired injured from his semi-final against Alexander Zverev on Friday.
He raised both thumbs in the air towards the 15,000 fans as he left Rod Laver Arena - which he has often described as his "second home".
Asked if it might be his final appearance at Melbourne Park, Djokovic said. "I don't know. There is a chance. Who knows? 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."
It is the second successive year that Djokovic has lost in the Melbourne semi-finals.
Djokovic has stripped back his schedule in recent seasons and prioritised being ready for the biggest tournaments - namely the four Grand Slams.
The former world number one continues to seek a 25th Slam to move clear of Australia's Margaret Court, who won 24 women's singles titles between 1960 and 1973.
The Australian Open is where Djokovic has enjoyed most of Grand Slam success followed by Wimbledon, where he has won seven titles.
He has also won three French Open and four US Open titles.
"I normally like to come to Australia to play," seventh seed Djokovic added.
"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 [it is the last time]."
...Booed off by fans at Aussie Open
Novak Djokovic was booed off court by some Australian Open fans after retiring injured from his semi-final against Alexander Zverev.
Djokovic, who was bidding for a record-extending 11th title, quit after losing the first set 7-6 (7-5) in 80 minutes.
The 37-year-old Serb had his upper left leg heavily taped after injuring it in Tuesday's quarter-final win over Carlos Alcaraz.
"I did everything I possibly could do to manage the muscle tear that I had," said Djokovic, who was also aiming for an all-time standalone record of 25 major titles.
"Towards the end of that first set I just started feeling more and more pain.
"It was too much to handle for me."
After he slapped a volley into the net on set point, seventh seed Djokovic immediately approached Zverev and shook his hand.
He waved to the crowd and gave them a double thumbs up, despite audible boos from some sections inside Rod Laver Arena.
Asked by Serbian media, external about the reaction, Djokovic said: "I don't know what to say.
"People have come and paid for the tickets expecting a great match and a big fight, which they didn't get.
"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."
German second seed Zverev is still bidding for his first Grand Slam title after twice losing in major finals.
He will face world number one and defending champion Jannik Sinner in Sunday's final after the Italian beat Ben Shelton.
From the moment Djokovic lunged for a drop-shot towards the end of the first set against Alcaraz and immediately grimaced to his box, there have been questions over his fitness.
Djokovic, as he has on countless occasions in his stellar career, somehow managed to defy the injury to earn a remarkable win against the 21-year-old.
But doubts remained how equipped he would be to play Zverev.
"I knew even if I won the first set, that it's going to be a huge uphill battle for me to stay physically fit enough to stay with him," added Djokovic.
"I don't think I had that in the tank."
Djokovic had not practised at Melbourne Park since Tuesday night's victory, cancelling a planned hit on Thursday before spending an hour warming up on court shortly before the semi-final.
Djokovic did not practise between matches during his 2023 title run and later revealed he had a three centimetre tear in his hamstring.
He also won the 2021 title despite tearing an abdominal muscle in the third round.
"The very first thing I want to say is, please guys, don't boo when a player is injured," said Zverev, addressing the crowd in his on-court interview.
"I know everyone paid for tickets and wants to see a five-set match but
you have to understand Novak Djokovic is someone who has given absolutely everything to tennis.
"He has won this title with an abdominal tear, he has won this title with a hamstring tear.
"If he cannot continue this match, it means he really cannot continue."
Former Australian player John Millman, working at Melbourne Park as a television summariser, said the crowd's reaction showed a "total lack of respect".
He added in a post on X: "Novak getting booed off is a disgrace. Classless."
Caption: Djokovic in action.
