Serbian Veteran Novak Djokovic Returns to Shanghai Masters Amidst Fierce Competition

Serbian tennis sensation Novak Djokovic, currently ranked fourth in the world, is making a highly anticipated return to the Shanghai Masters for the first time in five years. The 37-year-old, who boasts an impressive 24 Grand Slam titles, is poised to be the main draw in a competitive field of 96 players. Notably, Djokovic has already secured victories in all major tennis tournaments, including four previous wins at the Shanghai Masters.

This year’s Shanghai Masters, hosted at the Qizhong Tennis Centre, commenced on October 2 and will continue through October 13. Although Djokovic’s participation is eagerly awaited, the tournament is set to be a challenging one for the Serbian star. Djokovic has played only 40 matches in the current year, with his most recent match resulting in an unexpected third-round defeat at the US Open against Alexei Popyrin.

In the tournament draw, Djokovic will start his campaign in the second round after receiving a bye in the first round. He will face the winner between Alex Michelsen and Yunchaokete Bu. His journey to the finals might include encounters with formidable opponents such as Andrey Rublev in the quarter-finals and Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals, should he advance deep into the tournament. In the potential finals, Djokovic might meet world number one Jannik Sinner, alongside other top-tier players like Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev.

This year, several top-seeded players, including Jannik Sinner and four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz, are placed on the opposite side of the draw from Djokovic, possibly setting the stage for thrilling semifinal and final matches. Notably, last year’s champion, Hubert Hurkacz, will not compete due to a knee injury, leaving the title open for contention.

The British contingent at the tournament has seen mixed fortunes. Jack Draper, initially guaranteed a place in the main draw, withdrew due to an abdominal injury suffered at the Japan Open. Dan Evans, after successfully navigating the qualifiers, lost to Thiago Seyboth Wild of Brazil. Billy Harris, entering as a lucky loser, was defeated by Mattia Bellucci.

For global tennis fans, the tournament is available for viewing on Sky Sports Tennis, ensuring comprehensive coverage of both ATP and WTA events. The newly launched Sky Sports+ service promises enhanced access to live sports, delivering over 50 percent more content without additional costs for current subscribers.