Novak Djokovic is set to play in his first non-Grand Slam event since May when the Shanghai Masters rolls around in October.
Djokovic has only competed in Grand Slam events since winning his 100th ATP Tour title at the Geneva Open.
However, on Tuesday, the Shanghai Masters announced that their five-time champion, Novak Djokovic, will compete at the tournament this year.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion is in the twilight of his career, and has recently prioritised competing in the bigger events, rather than risking his physical health in smaller ones.
Nevertheless, Djokovic has chosen to compete in the Shanghai Masters. He reached the final of last year’s tournament before losing to Jannik Sinner.
Novak Djokovic will compete in five Masters 1000 events for the first time since 2019
The Serbian star is set to compete in his fifth ATP Masters 1000 tournament of the season when he sets foot on court in Shanghai.
Djokovic’s first Masters of the year came in Indian Wells, where he was upset in his first match by Botic van de Zandschulp.
He bounced back at the Miami Open, defeating Lorenzo Musetti and Grigor Dimitrov on his way to the final, before losing to young Czech talent Jakub Mensik.
In April, Djokovic was stunned once again, losing his first match at the Monte-Carlo Masters to Alejandro Tabilo.
The Serbian champion – who was being coached by Andy Murray – was again shocked at his next Masters 1000 event.
At the Madrid Open, Djokovic lost his first match at the tournament to Matteo Arnaldi, 6-3, 6-4.
How many Masters 1000 titles has Djokovic won?
During his historic career, Novak Djokovic has captured 40 ATP Masters 1000 titles, making him the first man to achieve this total in tennis history.
His closest rival in this matter is Rafael Nadal, who won 36 Masters 1000 titles during his career.
Djokovic’s first Masters 1000 title came in 2007, when he defeated Argentina’s Guillermo Canas to win the Miami Open.
His most recent Masters 1000 title came at the 2023 Paris Masters, where he defeated Grigor Dimitrov in the final, 6-4, 6-3.
