After missing the press conference, Djokovic spoke out on social media: I love Shanghai! Thank you to the Chinese fans for their support.

Novak Djokovic has faced numerous challenges and remains undefeated, with 24 Grand Slam trophies behind him. Yet, after losing in straight sets in this year’s Wimbledon semifinals, he openly acknowledged, “Age is catching up.” Who could believe that? Four Grand Slam titles and four semifinal runs this year prove that the 38-year-old’s passion remains intense.

Beneath the blazing Shanghai sun, he fights against injuries, exhaustion, and the stifling humidity, never bowing down. This 24-time Grand Slam champion endured a tough battle, defeating Munar 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 to advance toward his fifth Shanghai Masters title.

After the match, instead of picking up the microphone, he grabbed his phone. “A tough day, huge physical challenge,” he wrote on social media. “Luckily, I have the support of the greatest fans in the world. I love Shanghai.” This brief, sincere message revealed the true heart of a fighter still battling against time.

Tournament officials later confirmed that Djokovic would skip the post-match interview, following medical advice to prioritize rest and prepare for Thursday’s match. The statement read, “His top priority is to recover physically and be ready for the next match.” This highlighted the extreme effort he exerted to keep competing. During this exhausting match, Djokovic even vomited on the sidelines, his body nearly overwhelmed by the heat and humidity.

At 38, his body is marked by years of competition, and this match nearly broke him. During the game, he grimaced in pain from a calf muscle strain and called for the trainer multiple times. Medical timeouts, ice towels, and relentless sweat—he gave everything he had. This was not the first time this week he was pushed to the limit; last Sunday against Hanfmann, he also vomited in the heat. Yet, as always, he persevered.

With this victory, Djokovic set a new record—at 38 years and 4 months, he became the oldest quarterfinalist in ATP Masters history, surpassing Federer’s previous record of 38 years and 2 months set at Shanghai in 2019. If Djokovic wins the Shanghai Masters again, it will be his record-breaking fifth title there, and he will surpass Federer’s tied record of 71 hard-court titles in the Open Era.

This marks Djokovic’s 11th appearance at the Shanghai Masters, and he has reached the quarterfinals every time, maintaining a perfect 100% progression rate. Next, he will face Belgian player David Goffin for the first time. As the 4th seed in this tournament, Djokovic, born in Belgrade, is the highest-ranked player in the draw.

Djokovic is aiming for his 41st ATP Masters title, his first Masters championship pursuit since the 2023 Paris Masters. Currently, he ranks third on the Turin ATP Finals points list. According to ATP statistics, his record this season stands at 34 wins and 10 losses.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Spark)