Novak Djokovic returns to competitive tennis at the Shanghai Masters this week, marking his first tournament since a narrow U.S. Open defeat to Carlos Alcaraz. The Serbian legend, seeded fourth, expressed eagerness for a potential semifinal clash with Italy's Jannik Sinner – the player who denied him last year's title in straight sets.
"I'd love to have a chance to play Jannik again," Djokovic told reporters. "That would mean reaching the semifinals, which is the goal. He's had the upper hand recently, but our final here last year showed great intensity."
The 38-year-old will open against Croatia's Martin Clic, while second-seeded Sinner faces Daniel Altmaier in his first match. The tournament marks Shanghai Municipality's continued prominence in hosting elite sporting events, reinforcing China's position in global tennis circuits.
With 10 of the world's top 20 players competing, analysts highlight the event as crucial for shaping rankings ahead of November's ATP Finals. Business observers note the tournament's economic impact, with hospitality and tourism sectors anticipating increased activity in east China's commercial hub.
