Novak Djokovic continues to redefine longevity in tennis. The 38-year-old passed his first test at the Shanghai Masters after ousting Marin Cilic 7-6, 6-4 in the oldest match in history at this level!
It was Novak's first Masters 1000 win since turning 38, becoming the eighth-oldest player to celebrate a win at the premium ATP level of competition. More importantly, Djokovic passed Roger Federer, who delivered his last Masters 1000 victory at 38 years and two months.
At 38 years and four months, Novak now trails only a select group of outstanding veterans. If he maintains this pace and extends his career, he should challenge Ivo Karlovic and Jimmy Connors at the top.
Alongside them, Stan Wawrinka, Feliciano Lopez, Tommy Haas, Richard Gasquet and Gael Monfils remain in front of the 24-time Major winner. Novak remains competitive at Masters 1000 events two decades after debuting at them.
He lost the Miami final in March in two tie breaks, and Shanghai stands as another chance to seek a deep run against the world's best players. The latest milestone adds another chapter to a career that has stretched across two decades of hard work and dedication.
Eighteen years after lifting his first Masters 1000 trophies, Djokovic proudly stands in the top-5 and chases notable trophies against much younger and fresher opponents.
While struggling against Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz at Majors, the Serb believes he can still beat them in the less demanding best-of-three format. He is projected to face Sinner in the semi-final in Shanghai, and he would love to embrace another duel against the four-time Major winner.
While he transitions into the later stages of his career, Djokovic remains competitive on the sport's biggest stages, mixing endurance and professionalism that few have ever matched.
Novak is facing Yannick Hanfmann in the third round in Shanghai, hoping for another strong performance in his first Masters 1000 event after turning 38.
