Djokovic Returns to China: Four-Time Defending Champion Confirmed for Shanghai Masters 1000

Serbian legend Novak Djokovic will compete in Shanghai for his first Masters 1000 tournament since last spring.

Djokovic aims to conserve his energy as much as possible for the Grand Slams. At 38 years old, the Serbian is chasing a 25th Major title since the 2023 US Open. Notably, for the second consecutive year, he did not win a Grand Slam—a first for him since the 2009-2010 seasons.

After deciding to skip all Masters 1000 tournaments since Madrid, the former world number one will indeed be present in Shanghai starting October 1st. Djokovic has won this tournament four times in his career (2012, 2013, 2015, and 2018), but has only participated in the Chinese tournament once since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, which was last year.

At that time, while chasing his 100th career title, he reached the final before losing to an in-form Jannik Sinner (7-6, 6-3). The Shanghai tournament organizers confirmed Novak Djokovic’s participation in their 2025 edition through a video posted on their social media.

While Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz will once again be the tournament favorites, Djokovic hopes to be a credible outsider for the title and will attempt to claim the trophy for the first time in seven years, when he defeated Borna Coric to secure the championship.