The Shanghai Masters isn’t just another stop on the ATP calendars—it’s a stage where legends are made. And if anyone embodies that legend, it’s Novak Djokovic. Year after year, the Serbian maestro has turned the iconic blue courts of the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena into his personal arena, leaving opponents awestruck and fans in sheer admiration.

From the moment Djokovic stepped onto the court in Shanghai for the first time (2009), there was a quiet confidence in his stride, a feeling that this wasn’t just another tournament—it was a canvas on which he would paint his legacy. And he did it! The hard courts of Qizhong Forest Sports City became a theater for his impeccable timing, unyielding resilience, and that uncanny ability to raise his game when it mattered most.

Fans often speak of the ‘Djokovic Effect’ in Shanghai. Opponents, regardless of ranking, enter the court knowing they face a player who thrives under pressure. Some have come close to upsetting him, only to falter in moments where the Serb seems untouchable. It’s a testament to his preparation, adaptability, and the sheer depth of experience that has allowed him to read the game like an open book.

Last year, Novak Djokovic made an appearance in this tournament for the first time since 2019, and he reached the final. After reaching the final, he said, “I did come here this year with definitely a vision or desire to get to the finals and fight for 100 titles.” However, unfortunately for the ‘Serbinator,’ he went down to Jannik Sinner by 6(4)-7,3-6. This year, he will yet again get the chance to put the title in his bag, as he has already confirmed his participation at the Shanghai Masters, which will be held from October 1-12. The tournament organizers recently also shared a post on social media with the caption, “He’s back... Our four-time champ will return to Shanghai this year.”

Djokovic hasn’t played an official match since his straight-sets defeat to the current world number one, Carlos Alcaraz, in the SF of the 2025 US Open. He has played around 41 matches this season and won 31 out of them. His only title triumph (100th career title) came in Geneva this year. Following his US Open exit, the 38-year-old remained vague about his schedule for the end of this season, having played significantly fewer tournaments in 2025 than in previous years. His fans expected him to return to action at the 250 event in Athens, which will be held from November 2-8. The tournament replaced the Belgrade tournament on this year’s calendar.

His participation at the Paris Masters and the ATP Finals is yet to be confirmed, but Nole fans will be happy to see him back in action in a tournament where he has tasted significant success over the years. Let’s take a glimpse at his records in this tournament:

Novak Djokovic is one of the most decorated players at the Shanghai Masters. He has won four titles since the tournament’s inception in 2009. Only Andy Murray (3) and Roger Federer (2) are the next two most successful players in this tournament.

If we take a look at his title triumphs in this mega event, in 2012, he won his maiden Shanghai Masters by defeating Andy Murray in the final. Djokovic saved five match points to come back from a set down before winning the match by 5-7,7-6(11),6-3. This final match was, in fact, voted as the best ATP World Tour match of the 2012 season!

In 2013, he successfully defended his title by defeating Juan Martín del Potro in the final by 6-1,3-6,7-6(3). After that, he yet again found success at this venue in 2015. This time, he outclassed Jo-Wilfred Tsonga in the final by 6-2,6-4, and then the fourth title came in 2018 when he defeated Borna Ćorić in straight sets (6-3,6-4). His incredible track record makes him one of the most successful players in this tournament.

Novak Djokovic has played the most number of finals (5) at the Shanghai Masters, and he secured wins on four of those occasions. He is followed by Andy Murray, who had reached four finals in Shanghai. Other than that, Djokovic shares the record of most consecutive titles with Murray. The Brit won back-to-back titles in 2010-2011, while Djokovic managed to do the same thing in 2012-13. Not only that, but the Serb has also played the most number of matches in this tournament, and he also has the record of winning the most consecutive matches in this tournament. Djokovic won five matches on his way to the title triumph in 2012, and it was followed by another five-match run in 2013, and then in 2014, he reached the SF. This incredible run earned him a 13-match winning streak.

Can he defeat the likes of new superstars in the racket sport like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner and win his fifth title in Shanghai? Time will tell! But what has his record been against these two, and what are the tennis bigwigs saying about his chances to excel amid sheer dominance from Alcaraz and Sinner?

Novak Djokovic’s battles with the rising duo spark a sharp take from a tennis great

If we go by the numbers, Novak Djokovic has faced Carlos Alcaraz nine times in his career and won five matches out of them. But the Spaniard got the better of him in the SF of the 2025 US Open this year. With that defeat, it also ended his dream of securing his 25th major title in the 2025 season. Interestingly, the current world number 4 trails Jannik Sinner by a 4-6 margin. This year, the Italian ended his hopes twice at the major tournaments by bringing an end to his journey at the French Open and Wimbledon in the semis.

Following his recent loss against Alcaraz at the US Open, Djokovic made a very interesting revelation. He admitted, “I lost three out of four Slams in semis against these guys, so they're just too good, playing on a really high level.” Having said that, he also added, “Best-of-five makes it very, very difficult for me to play them, particularly if it's the end stages of the Grand Slam.” Seeing his constant failures against Alcaraz and Sinner, there is a certain section of fans and experts in the tennis world who might be thinking that retirement perhaps looms large for the 38-year-old, but…

As per the 11x Grand Slam champion, Bjorn Borg, “He is 38 years old, it’s going to be tough with [Jannik] Sinner and [Carlos] Alcaraz and some other players too, but still, he can do it. I hope he has the motivation to play at least another year.” During the same conversation on Sky Sports, Bjorg also added, “Djokovic, for me, is the greatest player to have ever played the game, and then the second place is Federer and Nadal, they’re tied.” There will always be a debate on whether Novak Djokovic is the G.O.A.T. in the racket sport or not, but there will be a question mark on the legacy he has managed to create for himself in these 22 years of professional tennis.

Do you think that the most successful player in the history of the Shanghai Masters will beat the likes of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in order to re-establish his dominance on the ATP Tour? Share your thoughts with us in the comment box.

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallySports. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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Edited by

Shrabana Sengupta