Is Sinner’s withdrawal opening the door for Djokovic to win? A top player highlights two major concerns

Djokovic advanced, and Sinner retired due to injury! When these two events happened consecutively on the same day, the response from the public was the most fervent.

Following Alcaraz’s victory at the Tokyo 500 and Sinner’s withdrawal announcement from the Shanghai Masters, many felt that Sinner no longer had any competitors. Especially after winning the China Open 500, witnessing the Italian’s strong form, most were convinced that Sinner would leave China carrying two titles, becoming the biggest winner of this year’s China season.

Before Sinner’s third-round match against Griekspoor, many joked that he was simply there to be an easy opponent, unlikely to challenge the Italian seriously. However, once the match began, Griekspoor proved far tougher than expected, not only resisting defeat but also leveling the first two sets with the Italian.

Having just won the China Open and then facing such a determined opponent in the third round of the Shanghai Masters, everyone was eager to see how Sinner would respond. Surprisingly, instead of a strategic comeback from the Italian to overpower his rival, the unexpected outcome was his withdrawal from the match.

When trailing 2-3 in the deciding set, Sinner suffered severe cramps and was unable to continue, forcing him to retire. He was ultimately helped off the court.

Sinner’s unfortunate incident evoked sympathy from fans and netizens alike, while Djokovic immediately surged to the top of trending discussions. Almost everyone now believes that without this formidable Italian opponent, Djokovic’s chances of winning have greatly increased, with the Shanghai Masters fifth title seemingly within his grasp.

Looking at the current draw, only a few players like Zverev and De Minaur could potentially challenge Djokovic, but their threat pales in comparison to Sinner’s. Many say that as long as the Serbian star does not falter, he could very well laugh last and celebrate the championship with his family.

The growing confidence in Djokovic’s title chances is not only due to Sinner’s withdrawal but also linked to his performance against Hanfmann in the third round.

Although Djokovic struggled early, losing the first set 4-6, he demonstrated his champion’s resilience by winning the next two sets 7-5 and 6-3, securing a place in the Shanghai Masters round of 16 and avoiding an upset.

In this match, Djokovic’s toughness and ability to adjust his form amazed many. As fans watching the live stream said, “Just when you think the old champion’s energy is nearly gone, he comes back full force, leaving everyone hopeless.”

Seeing Djokovic still showing such fierce competitiveness, some even expressed great anticipation for a rematch between him and Sinner in Shanghai, wondering if the outcome would differ this time.

Last year, after Djokovic reached the Shanghai Masters final, many speculated that the Serbian star might break his 2024 tour title drought on this favored ground. However, he faced Sinner in the final and lost in straight sets, ending up as the runner-up.

Unexpectedly, just as Djokovic was progressing steadily towards a showdown with Sinner, the Italian suddenly announced his withdrawal, causing the much-anticipated "Djokovic-Sinner" clash to be canceled. Though disappointing, many believe fate is favoring the veteran, allowing him to leave China with a championship trophy in hand.

Based on current public opinion, calls for Djokovic to win the Shanghai Masters are reaching a fever pitch, as if this year’s title is already his. Yet Djokovic remains clear-headed, pointing out two major concerns he currently faces, showing he is not as optimistic as many outside observers.

The match against Hanfmann, which lasted 2 hours and 42 minutes, was not an easy victory. Afterward, Djokovic explained in an interview, “Since the US Open, I’ve had a long break, and it’s been hard to find my rhythm.”

If Djokovic cannot address this issue, as opponents grow stronger, it’s difficult to say who will ultimately benefit from Sinner’s withdrawal.

Another factor working against Djokovic is the extreme humidity. After his first match, he admitted, “I don’t remember the last time I played in such humid conditions.”

A defining feature of this year’s Shanghai Masters is that many players have withdrawn due to the intense heat and humidity, making these conditions a significant challenge for Djokovic as well.

Some say that although Djokovic did not explicitly state how much these two issues affect him, anyone who understands the sport knows the stakes. “If Djokovic can overcome these problems, even if the title isn’t guaranteed, his chances will be very high.”(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Moon River’s Starry Sky)