Novak Djokovic is returning to Shanghai this fall! The 24-time major champion (and four-time Shanghai winner) announced the news on Tuesday.
Djokovic, who admitted after his US Open semifinal loss that he believed his best chances to take out Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner were in the best-of-three format, will be making his fifth Masters 1000 appearance of the season, and his first since Madrid.
“Best-of-five makes it very, very difficult for me to play them. Particularly if it’s like the end stages of the Grand Slam,” Djokovic said after falling to Alcaraz in straight sets at this year’s Open.
“It will be very difficult for me in the future to overcome the hurdle of Sinner, Alcaraz, in the best-of-five on the Grand Slams. I think I have a better chance best-of-three, but best-of-five, it’s tough.”
Shanghai takes place from October 1 to October 12.
Djokovic will also play the Six Kings exhibition in Saudi Arabia (October 15-18) and the ATP 250 event in Athens, Greece (November 1-8). The Serbian legend is 31-10 overall on the season.
Djokovic is third in the ATP’s Race to Turin but it is unclear if he’ll play this year. The Nitto ATP Finals take place from November 9 to November 16.
