On the evening of October 9th, Novak Djokovic, a titan of the tennis world, advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2024 ATP Shanghai Masters by winning two straight sets. This victory brings him one step closer to achieving his career milestone of 100 titles.
Djokovic arrived at the Shanghai Qizhong Tennis Center riding the wave of his recent triumph as the men’s singles champion at the Paris Olympics. He’s open about the fact that his pursuit of that elusive 100th title is a major motivation for his trip to Shanghai.
As of now, the Serbian star has claimed a total of 99 singles titles, including victories at all four Grand Slams (French Open, Australian Open, US Open, and Wimbledon) and an Olympic gold medal, completing a career “Golden Slam.”
At 37 years old and just months after undergoing surgery on his right knee in June, Djokovic still competes at a high level, sporting a knee brace during matches. He emphasizes that while he aims to maintain his competitive edge, he’ll be more selective about the tournaments he participates in, with the Shanghai Masters being one he has eagerly anticipated.
Shanghai has proven to be a lucky location for Djokovic; since 2008, he has lifted the championship trophy here five times. After every post-match press conference during this tournament, he has voiced his fondness for playing in China, even playfully admitting, “It’s no secret anymore.”
“I always strive to perform well in China. My past achievements here reflect my deep connection with the country,” Djokovic shared. “I’ve had remarkable success in both Beijing and Shanghai, thanks to the unparalleled love, respect, and support from my Chinese fans.”
Demonstrating his commitment to engaging with fans, Djokovic has been delighting crowds with his attempts at speaking Chinese. Phrases like “Wishing you peace,” “I love Shanghai,” and “How are you? Thank you for your support, I love you, China,” have become a part of his routine in Shanghai.
Returning to the ATP Shanghai Masters after five years, Djokovic has noticeably improved his Chinese language skills. After his first-round match, he not only wrote the character “德” (De) but also expressed his affection for China with “Wǒ ài nǐ, zhōngguó” (I love you, China).
“I really miss Shanghai and China. The atmosphere at the venue has been fantastic; waiting five years for this kind of support felt too long,” Djokovic remarked.
The encouragement from Chinese fans has equipped Djokovic with powerful motivation, and his efforts to learn Chinese are his way of giving back. He humorously attributes his fondness for dumplings and speaking Chinese as key factors behind some of his most memorable career moments in China.
At this year’s ATP Shanghai Masters, Djokovic’s penchant for the color red was evident, as he sported matching red shirts, pants, and shoes throughout the tournament, earning him the nickname “Super Red Djokovic.” He explained, “Everyone knows red is a symbolic color for China, and I purposely wore it to pay respect to Chinese culture and traditions.”
Wearing red has become something of a tradition for Djokovic while competing in China, turning the color into his “lucky color.” He expressed, “I hope red brings me luck; in fact, it has! Every time I wear red, I perform exceptionally well, so I plan to keep this tradition alive.”
Beyond embracing Chinese traditions, Djokovic has been closely following the development of tennis in the country. He admitted he is a fan of Chinese player Zheng Qinwen, saying, “I enjoy watching her matches, and we share a good relationship off the court. She knows I’m always willing to offer advice and help.”
Although injuries are a priority concern for Djokovic as he plans for next season, he has made a promise to his Chinese fans: “I will do my utmost to return to China next year, as I feel incredible energy and love here.”
