Four-time Shanghai Masters champion Novak Djokovic is ready for the penultimate Masters 1000 event of the season. Novak arrived in Shanghai on Tuesday and will prepare for his first tournament since the US Open semi-final defeat.
The veteran will chase his 41st Masters 1000 title, the first in nearly two years. In addition, the 24-time Major champion will seek his first trophy in Shanghai since 2018. A year ago, Novak fell in the final to Jannik Sinner in straight sets after a solid resistance.
The Serb went to Athens after New York, enjoying with his family in their new home and preparing to extend his season. After successful training sessions, Djokovic is ready to chase his second ATP title of the season.
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Novak will start his Shanghai Masters campaign as the 4th seed, facing Marin Cilic or Corentin Moutet in the second round. The legend could face Andrey Rublev, Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton en route to the possible semi-final against the defending champion, Jannik Sinner.
Djokovic is 39-6 at this event. He dominated between 2012 and 2018 and lifted four trophies. The Serb started his journey with two semi-finals before conquering the field in 2012.
Novak defended the title in 2013 over Juan Martin del Potro following a thriller. He bounced back in 2015, winning all five matches in straight sets and collecting his third crown at the biggest Asian event.
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Djokovic repeated that feat in 2018, celebrating the fourth title after beating Alexander Zverev and Borna Coric. In 2019, Stefanos Tsitsipas provided Novak's first Shanghai loss before the semi-final.
The Serb returned to this event in 2024 and bounced back to provide another deep run. The veteran defeated Jakub Mensik and Taylor Fritz en route to the final.He faced world no. 1 Jannik Sinner and experienced a 7-6, 6-3 loss.
Novak fought well in the opener but suffered one break in the second set to end on the losing side. The 38-year-old is ready for another push this week, hoping to at least repeat last year's result and enter another title clash.
