Novak Djokovic Refuses to Answer Questions About Health After Shanghai Open Exit to Valentin Vacherot
Novak Djokovic failed to secure a 41st Masters 1000 title of his career.

Novak Djokovic (via X/Olly Tennis)
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Novak Djokovic faced a surprising defeat against Valentin Vacherot at the Shanghai Masters. The 38-year-old appeared to struggle physically throughout the match and required medical attention several times for what looked like a hip issue. Despite his discomfort, he chose to continue playing.
After the loss, Djokovic was questioned about his health and overall performance. He avoided discussing his condition and simply congratulated Vacherot on the victory. His brief response left reporters without much insight into his struggles during the match.
I want to congratulate Valentin for reaching his first Masters final. Going from qualifications, it’s an amazing story. I told him at the net that he’s had an amazing tournament, but more so his attitude is very good, and his game was amazing as well. So it’s all about him. I wish him all the best in the finals, and the better player won today.
When asked more directly about his injury and future schedule, Djokovic refused to give any details. He ended the interview quickly, avoiding further questions about his health or next steps. His silence has fueled speculation about the seriousness of his condition.
Novak Djokovic did not want to speak about his physical issues after his loss to Vacherot, ‘I want to congratulate Valentin… Going from qualifications, it's an amazing story… it’s all about him’
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 11, 2025
“How do you feel after this match, how much did you risk to continue, and can I… pic.twitter.com/TPLsTam8Qt
No. Next question, please.
Vacherot, ranked 204th in the world and a qualifier in the tournament, delivered one of the biggest shocks of the event by defeating the four-time Shanghai champion 6-3, 6-4. The win marked a career highlight for the young player, while Djokovic’s form and fitness have now become a major talking point.
Novak Djokovic loses in Shanghai
Valentin Vacherot’s remarkable run at the Rolex Shanghai Masters continued with another historic moment. The qualifier from Monaco stunned four-time champion Novak Djokovic to reach the final in spectacular style. His victory marked a major milestone in what has already been a breakthrough tournament for the 26-year-old.

Ranked No. 204 in the PIF ATP Rankings, Vacherot defeated Djokovic 6-3, 6-4 to become the lowest-ranked player ever to reach an ATP Masters 1000 final since 1990. Throughout the match, he maintained composure and took full advantage of Djokovic’s physical struggles. The Serbian received treatment twice for a lower-back problem during the first set but continued to play on.
Vacherot’s serving was key to his triumph, winning 78 percent of points on his first serve. The win was the biggest of his career and propelled him into Sunday’s title match, where he will face either his cousin Arthur Rinderknech or Daniil Medvedev. His impressive form has turned him from a qualifying alternate into one of the tournament’s main stories.
With this result, Vacherot is set to make his debut inside the Top 100 of the ATP Rankings. His success in Shanghai has already lifted him 146 places to No. 58 in the live rankings, far surpassing his previous career high of No. 110. The former Texas A&M college player also became just the sixth man this century to reach his first ATP final at a Masters 1000 event.
Novak Djokovic takes medical timeout in Shanghai
Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic faced a surprising 6-3, 6-4 loss to world No. 204 Valentin Vacherot at the Shanghai Masters. The four-time champion appeared far from his best, showing visible signs of discomfort throughout the match. His movement was restricted, and the pain seemed to worsen as the first set progressed.

The Serbian star called for the physio several times during the match. He appeared close to retiring as he limped around the court and even fell to the ground a few times. Despite the pain, Djokovic chose to continue competing rather than withdraw midway through the contest.
— Germán R. Abril (@gerebit0) October 11, 2025
Vacherot, meanwhile, remained composed and capitalized on Djokovic’s struggles. The qualifier from Monaco displayed sharp focus and consistency, taking control of key points. His patience and precision paid off as he pushed the top seed on every serve and rally.
The 26-year-old sealed the biggest win of his career with confidence, earning a place in Sunday’s final. It was a historic moment for the world No. 204, who came through qualifying to reach this stage. For Djokovic, the defeat raised fresh concerns about his fitness and recovery heading into future events.
Also Read: Daniil Medvedev Unsure About ‘Giving More’ After Reaching Shanghai Open Semifinals