Novjson Djokovic got his butt kicked by world No. 204 Valentin Vacherot in the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters on Saturday. The match ended with a score of 6-3, 6-4, leaving Djokovic fans shocked and disappointed. The Serb, who appeared to be struggling with yet another injury, was clearly not at the top of his game.
Who was involved: Novak Djokovic and Valentin Vacherot
What happened: Djokovic was defeated by Vacherot in the Shanghai Masters semi-finals
Where it happened: Shanghai Masters
When it happened: On Saturday
Why it matters: Djokovic’s future tournament schedule is now uncertain
The 38-year-old Djokovic seemed to be physically hurting throughout the match, frequently seen stretching his hip and even taking a medical timeout. Despite this, Djokovic chose to keep quiet about any potential injury concerns post-match. Instead, he praised Vacherot for his performance and wished him luck for the final against Arthur Rinderknech on Sunday.
Not really sure why this matters, but Djokovic’s next moves in the tournament circuit remain up in the air. He has confirmed his participation in two more competitions this year, starting with the Six Kings Slams in Riyadh next week. Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, is expected to join other top players like Sinner, Alcaraz, Fritz, Zverev, and Tsitsipas in the Middle East for matches scheduled on October 15, 16, and 18.
Djokovic and Alcaraz, as the players with the most Grand Slam titles, have received byes in the tournament and won’t need to play until Thursday. Djokovic is likely to face the winner of the Sinner vs. Tsitsipas match, while Alcaraz will take on either Zverev or Fritz. The players are competing for a hefty prize of £3.4m for the winner, with all participants receiving £1.1m just for showing up. Djokovic is also set to play in the ATP 250 in Athens in the first week of November before potentially heading to the ATP Finals in Turin.
Novak Djokovic’s struggles in Shanghai have raised doubts about his readiness for upcoming tournaments. The Serbian player faced challenges coping with the extreme heat and humidity during the week, leading to visible physical distress on the court. Despite his efforts to push through the discomfort, Djokovic’s defeat to Vacherot in the semi-finals highlighted his vulnerability on the court. The tennis legend’s participation in future events remains uncertain as he grapples with his physical condition.
