Novak Djokovic will compete at the upcoming Masters 1000 event in Shanghai. The four-time champion returns to the penultimate Masters 1000 event and breaks his hiatus from tennis that started after the US Open.
Novak is training in Athens, his new home since September. Initially, he did not include Shanghai or any other event to his schedulebesides Riyadh and Athens.
Now, the legend is ready to seek his 41st Masters 1000 title after losing the Miamifinal to Jakub Mensin in two tie breaks earlier this year. Last season, Djokovic battled for the title in Chin against Jannik Sinner and fell in straight sets.
The Serb is 39-6 in the most notable Asian tournament, lifting four trophies between 2012 and 2018. Novak lost in the semi-final in his first two trips to Shanghai before winning the title in 2012.
He defended it in 2013 after a thriller against Juan Martin del Potro before experiencing a loss to Roger Federer a year later. Djokovic conquered the field in style in 2015, winning all ten sets and regaining the title.
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The Serb's fourth and most recent crown in Shanghai came in 2018, alsowithout losing a set, with the legend besting Alexander Zverev and Borna Coric in the latter stages.
Novak's worst result at this event came in 2019 when he lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarter-final. The four-time winner returned to Shanghai last year and extended his great run on the fast hard court.
The veteran reached the final over Jakub Mensik and Taylor Fritz and arranged the duel against Jannik Sinner. World no. 1 outplayed the legend, facing no break points in a 7-6, 6-3 victory.
Djokovic fought well but failed to match the rival's level. The Serb will make another push next week, returning to action for the first time since the US Open semi-final loss to Carlos Alxaraz.
