Djokovic's Shanghai Struggle: Heat, Health, and a Historic Upset
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Djokovic's Shanghai Struggle: Heat, Health, and a Historic Upset
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About this listen
Novak Djokovic's week at the Shanghai Masters turned into a dramatic saga of physical struggle and ultimately defeat. The Telegraph reported that the Serbian champion suffered a shock loss to world number 204 Valentin Vacherot, going down 6-3, 6-4 in what became one of the tournament's biggest upsets. During the match, Djokovic received on-court treatment for back issues and came close to retiring from the contest entirely before ultimately finishing the match and graciously telling Vacherot at the net that he deserved the victory.
This devastating loss came just days after Djokovic had battled through one of the most grueling matches of his career against Jaume Munar. Essentially Sports detailed how the 38-year-old survived that encounter 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 despite vomiting courtside and requiring multiple medical timeouts as temperatures soared past 30 degrees Celsius in punishing humidity. His ankle buckled during the match, and he repeatedly summoned trainers while draping ice towels around his neck between rallies. After that victory, which made him the oldest ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinalist ever at 38 years and four months, surpassing Roger Federer's previous record, Djokovic skipped his mandatory press conference on doctor's orders.
Instead of facing the media, the 24-time Grand Slam champion took to social media writing, "Tough day at the office. Very challenging physically. Luckily, I have the greatest support in the world," adding a message in Chinese expressing his love for Shanghai. Tournament officials confirmed that medical professionals advised him to rest and recover rather than fulfill press duties.
The week also highlighted broader concerns about player safety, with the ATP announcing they are evaluating implementation of an official heat policy after seven player retirements during the tournament. Even Daniil Medvedev collapsed on his bench gasping for air after his match. For Djokovic, who had won eleven consecutive matches at this event reaching the quarterfinals every time, the loss to Vacherot marked an unexpectedly early exit from a tournament where he was chasing a fifth title.
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