Novak Djokovic arrived at the Rolex Shanghai Masters on Tuesday in good spirits ahead of his return to competition for the first time in four weeks.
The record four-time Shanghai champion owns a 39-6 tournament record, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, with his last appearance coming in last year's final, where he fell to Jannik Sinner.
Djokovic could meet the Italian in the semi-finals this year, following Monday’s official draw. But for now, he is happy to be back at one of his most successful stops on the ATP Tour.
“My first [Nitto ATP Finals] was here back in 2007,” Djokovic said of the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena in Shanghai, now home of the ATP Masters 1000 event. “Amazing facility, a very different type of comfort that top players experience here to other tournaments in this category, with having your own locker room, your own private space… It makes a difference.”
Seeded fourth, Djokovic will open his title bid in Shanghai against Marin Cilic or a qualifier / lucky loser in the second round. The Serbian saved five championship points in a thrilling 2012 final against Andy Murray to win his first title at the prestigious event.
Djokovic, the record seven-time Nitto ATP Finals champion, is fourth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin. He is returning to competition in Shanghai for the first time since reaching the semi-finals at the US Open earlier this month.
