Novak Djokovic makes a triumphant return in Shanghai | ATP Tour

Shanghai

Djokovic makes a triumphant return in Shanghai

Djokovic has won the tournament four times

October 05, 2024

Novak Djokovic returned five years later to the Rolex Shanghai Masters and the emotions could not have been more intense. Under maximum expectation at the Qizhong Stadium, the Balkan player took a real mass bath during the night to recover some sensations kept in his memory. In the largest ATP Tour event on Chinese soil, a message was remembered: no one has won in Shanghai with the strength of the Serbian.

The four-time champion had to go through a true test of toughness, defeating the American Alex Michelsen 7-6(3), 7-6(9) in a match that was close to the final set. The Serbian needed to activate all five senses to emerge unscathed from a sharp duel, where he saved two sets full of danger in the tiebreaker. After recovering from 0-3 in the first set, Djokovic saved two set points in the second before capturing the victory.

With his fists clenched to the Shanghai sky, Djokovic celebrated an absolute warm-up. Since being surprised by Alexei Popyrin in the third round of the US Open, the one from Belgrade had only played two singles matches on the circuit. A low load of competition that added to the difficulties inherent to an unprecedented duel in his career.

“It was the first match against Alex and I haven’t competed for a while, so it was difficult for me to find the rhythm”; said Djokovic, who is seeking the 100th title of his sporting career this week. “It has started in an incredible way, with great serves and a very aggressive style. He is not afraid to step forward and look for his rival.”

“It was a very tight match and I think with a high level of tennis in both sets. “I’m glad I stayed calm in the most important moments in the tiebreak of the second set.”

Landing in Shanghai is an opportunity for Djokovic to feed his legacy in the ATP Masters 1000 events. The Balkan, who has accumulated a record of 35-5 in the Chinese tournament, holds the historical record for crowns (40) in the gold category of the ATP Tour and is looking for its first win at this level of the 2024 season.

After a day marked by rain, which forced the suspension of activity on the outdoor courts, Djokovic will have to wait to meet his next rival in Shanghai. The Balkan will play the third round of the tournament against the winner of the duel that will pit the No. 28 seed Flavio Cobolli against the former world No. 3 Stan Wawrinka.

Djokovic competes this week with options to strengthen his candidacy for the Nitto ATP Finals. Thanks to his victory this Saturday, the Balkan surpassed Alex de Minaur in No. 8 of the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, professionally occupying a direct access place to the season finale event. Novak is the tournament’s all-time champion with seven individual titles.

At 20 years old, Michelsen continues to consolidate his figure among the young talent in the locker room. Currently installed at No. 2 in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah, the American has cemented great chances on the Asian tour of qualifying for the Next Gen ATP Finals, which will take place from December 18 to 22 in Saudi Arabia.

Did you know that…?
Novak Djokovic is the most successful player in the history of the Rolex Shanghai Masters with four individual titles. The Serbian, winner of the 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2018 editions, is also the only active player with multiple Asian ATP Masters 1000 crowns under his belt.