Fans Accuse Novak Djokovic of Faking His Struggles During Shanghai Masters Clash Amid Sweltering Heat – “Such a Drama Queen”

Novak Djokovic once again vomited on court because of the sweltering conditions in Shanghai, with the humidity levels crossing 82 percent. He looked completely exhausted after defeat in a rally in the second set that eventually forced the decider against Spain’s Jaume Munar.

Djokovic was so exhausted that he collapsed on the ground and stayed there for about half a minute before he got up and received treatment. He, in fact, received multiple treatments for a leg problem. The Serb wasted not much time in knocking out Munar with a 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 scoreline in nearly three hours.

Novak Djokovic is 38, hurt, and playing like his life is on the line.

There has never been a bigger fighter in tennis than this man.

Forever proud. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/gaav36B4mt

— Danny (@DjokovicFan_) October 7, 2025

It was his career’s second win over Munar after their encounter in the second round of the French Open. Djokovic, the tournament’s most successful player with four titles, has now reached the quarterfinals in Shanghai for the 11th time in his career.

At present, Djokovic is the highest-ranked player left in the draw, following the mid-match retirement of Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev‘s defeat to Arthur Rinderknech, and Taylor Fritz‘s defeat to Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.

Djokovic, who is chasing his record-extending 41st Masters 1000 title, will next be locking horns with Belgium’s Zizou Bergs. The last time the 38-year-old won a Masters 1000 title was at the 2023 Paris Masters by beating Grigor Dimitrov. Since then, Djokovic played two more finals in this category: in Shanghai last year, which he lost to Sinner, and in this year’s Miami Open, where Jakub Mensik denied him the title.

Fans accuse Novak Djokovic of faking his injury

Novak Djokovic‘s medical timeouts always raise many eyebrows, as he is often accused of using those timeouts for tactical reasons by tricking his opponents into thinking that the so-called injury could stop him from playing to his full potential. So when Djokovic struggled during his fourth-round match in Shanghai, those fans thought he was actually putting on an act.

Check out their reactions here:

Of course 🤣🤣
That's his tactic for his 20 year career unstoppable medical timeouts🤣🤣

— alexthegreek1 (@alexthegreek11) October 7, 2025

So dramatic with his bending over and falling down repeatedly, acting so exhausted.

— Michael Galpin (@michaelg) October 7, 2025

Boy that Magic Potion hit just in the nick of time didn't it? FRAUDOVIC 4 LIFE!

— Professor Nez (@professornez) October 7, 2025

Drama Queen 🎭 👑

— Bec06/08/1993 (@Bec06185787) October 7, 2025

DJOKOVIC IS SUCH A DRAMA QUEEN

— Fednanen (@fednanen) October 7, 2025

When he loses a point he acts like he’s short for breath but when he’s winning he has all the energy

— Lincoln Lumbe (@LincolnLumbe) October 7, 2025

FRAUDOVIC 4 LIFE! He is a cancer on our beloved sport. The Gods can't get rid of him fast enough. The eternal cockroach desperate for relevancy is such a gigantic embarrassment

— Professor Nez (@professornez) October 7, 2025

When’s the last time this guy played a match without a medical timeout?

— ディラン (@teleleledylan) October 7, 2025

Bro acted after set point as if he won the trophy judging by the gesture but no, he’s only injured and exhausted. It’s disgraceful and zero respect paid to the opponent, bro has a million ways to deal with your situation yet he steals all the attention from Munar who wins the set

— 杨新源 (@Yangxinyuan2001) October 7, 2025

Djokovic has won just the Geneva Open this year by beating Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz. The Shanghai Masters is Djokovic’s first tournament since his defeat at the US Open.

The World No.5 will remove Taylor Fritz from the fourth position if he wins the Shanghai Masters. At present, Djokovic has 4,380 points in the live rankings, while Fritz has 4,645 points in the live rankings. Alexander Zverev will continue to stay at the third spot even if Djokovic wins the Shanghai title.

Marco Panichi on the legacy of Novak Djokovic

Djokovic’s former fitness trainer, Marco Panichi, is convinced that players will find it difficult to perform like Nole when they reach the twilight of their careers. The 38-year-old played the semifinals of all four Majors this year, handing the walkover to Zverev in Melbourne, losing at the hands of Sinner at the French Open and Wimbledon, while Alcaraz knocked him out at the US Open.

During an interview with CorSport, Panichi, who is now working with Holger Rune, talked about the legacy of the 24-time Grand Slam champion.

It will be difficult to replicate this when others reach his age. He might have more chances in best-of-three set matches. Not training as much as before, both because of age and motivation, makes energy management challenging, but we can always expect anything from Novak.

After the Shanghai Masters, Djokovic will be featuring in the first edition of the Hellenic Championship, an ATP 250 event, scheduled to start on November 2. Djokovic’s participation at the ATP Finals is uncertain. He clinched the year-end championships in 2023 by beating Sinner, but chose to skip it last year.

Also read: Alexander Zverev Makes Explosive Statements About his Form and Health After Shanghai Exit