The four-time Shanghai Masters champion Novak Djokovic is back at one of his most favorite events after five years! The Serb arrived in China a couple of days ago, returning to this country after half a decade and feeling the positive vibes. Novak has won ten ATP titles in China, including five in Shanghai, the 2008 Masters Cup and four Masters 1000 shields between 2012 and 2018. Djokovic is 34-5 at the Shanghai Masters, reaching the semi-final eight straight times before falling in the quarter-final to Stefanos Tsitsipas in his most recent campaign in 2019. The Serb had no plans following the Olympic Games gold medal, making an early US Open loss and not thinking about tennis for a couple of weeks. Still, the 24-time Major winner decided to travel to China after half a decade and compete in front of numerous fans from this country. Shanghai stayed away from the calendar between 2020 and 2022. The action returned last year, and Hubert Hurkacz claimed the title.
Novak Djokovic, 2024 Shanghai Masters© Stream screenshot
Novak Djokovic is thrilled to compete in front of Chinese fans again.
Djokovic will try to succeed the Pole on the list of champions, seeking his first Masters 1000 title of the season at one of his favorite events. Novak could not go all the way during his first Shanghai trips, which changed in 2012. He lifted the first trophy at a high-profile event and claimed three more by 2018, becoming the most successful player at this event. Djokovic did not lose before the semi-final in Shanghai until 2019. He faced Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarter-final five years ago. Novak claimed the opening set before losing the next two, allowing the young gun to advance and experiencing his earliest defeat at this event. The Serb would love to claim his 100th ATP title in front of Chinese fans and earn another massive milestone, although he already fulfilled his dreams at the Olympic Games.
Novak Djokovic, 2024 Shanghai Masters© Stream screenshot
Djokovic ended the 2024 Major campaign without winning a title, a striking contrast to 2023, when he conquered three from four finals. The veteran threw everything at the Olympic Games and defeated six rivals in straight sets, becoming the first player with all 15 notable tennis trophies in his collection. In the quarter-final, Novak survived a scare with his right knee against Stefanos Tsitsipas and arranged the gold medal clash with Carlos Alcaraz. Two great rivals battled for nearly three hours before the veteran prevailed 7-6, 7-6, earning an elusive gold medal and completing the game of tennis. As was expected, Djokovic took a break and experienced an early US Open loss, failing to find motivation a couple of weeks after conquering the most important event of his career. Novak led his country in the Davis Cup in Belgrade before entering the penultimate Masters 1000 event of the season, facing Alex Michelsen or Yunchaokete Bu in the first match.
He’s baaaack 😍
After five years, @DjokerNole returns to the #RolexShanghaiMasters! pic.twitter.com/GR2WiJXO5n
— Rolex Shanghai Masters (@SH_RolexMasters) October 1, 2024