Novak Djokovic Surprised by the Humidity Level in Shanghai After Opening Round Win

Novak Djokovic claimed a good 7-6, 6-4 win over Marin Cilic in the opening round of Shanghai.

Novak Djokovic Surprised by the Humidity Level in Shanghai After Opening Round Win

Novak Djokovic (via X/Olly Tennis)

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Novak Djokovic admitted he was stunned by the extreme conditions at the Shanghai Masters 1000. The Asian swing brought more than just tough opponents. Players have been competing in heat above 30°C, with humidity climbing to 85%. Each rally feels heavier, and the energy drain is immediate.

Djokovic, fresh from a hard-fought win over Marin Cilic (7-6, 6-4), described Shanghai as an “unexpected furnace.” He said the weather has turned every match into a survival test. The Serbian added that the intensity of the climate pushes athletes close to their physical limits.

In lighter spirits, Djokovic tried to make a joke about the situation. Laughing, he remarked that “the laundry bills will be quite high this week.” His sweat-drenched matches are a common sight for players struggling to cope with the oppressive air. Djokovic said in his post-match press conference:

The humidity here is insane, honestly. I don’t remember the weather being this humid in China. I can’t recall the last time I played with humidity like this. It is what it is, the same for me, my opponent, and everyone else. You have to accept it and deal with it. You sweat a lot, the laundry bills are going to be very high this week, but it’s fine. I hope it doesn’t stop me.

Next, Djokovic will face Yannick Hanfmann for a place in the round of 16. The two have met only once before, in Geneva earlier this year. On that occasion, Djokovic secured a straight-sets win, 6-3, 6-3. This new meeting promises a different kind of challenge, with the weather itself as much an opponent as the man across the net.

Novak Djokovic secures opening round Shanghai win

Serbian tennis legend Novak Djokovic started his Shanghai Masters campaign with a gritty win over Marin Cilic, 7-6(2), 6-4. The Serbian, chasing a fifth crown at the event, leaned on old-school methods to deal with the conditions. In a nod to Ivan Lendl, he used sawdust on his hands to manage the heavy humidity and stay in control during key moments of the match.

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic

Cilic fired 20 winners in the first set and pushed Djokovic hard, but the 24-time Grand Slam champion absorbed the pressure. Despite appearing to tweak his back early in the second set, Djokovic’s accuracy and resilience carried him through. His victory came after nearly two hours, extending his record over Cilic to 20-2.

The match drew a lively crowd at the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena. Holger Rune and Hamad Medjedovic were among those watching Djokovic’s first match since his US Open semi-final loss to Carlos Alcaraz. With Yannick Hanfmann awaiting in the next round, a possible semi-final clash with Jannik Sinner looms if both players advance.

Djokovic’s triumph marked his 40th career win in Shanghai, making him the first man to reach 40 or more victories at six different Masters 1000 tournaments. His duel with Cilic also set a milestone: at a combined age of nearly 80 years, it became the oldest main-draw battle at this level since 1990. Both veterans showed why they’ve remained fixtures of the sport for so long.

How many points does Novak Djokovic defend in Shanghai?

Former World No.1 Novak Djokovic has extra motivation at the Shanghai Masters, where he is defending 650 points from his runner-up finish last year. The Serbian has already made a strong start to his 2025 campaign with a second-round victory over Marin Cilic. His quest for a fifth crown in Shanghai is not only about trophies, but also about securing valuable ranking ground.

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic (Image via X/SK)

The tournament is an important stop on the ATP calendar, with several top players under pressure to defend results from 2024. Every point matters at this stage of the season, and some stars face difficult challenges to maintain their standings. Others see it as a chance to close gaps on rivals ahead of the year-end push.

Among them, Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, and Taylor Fritz are all competing with significant stakes. Each has points on the line from last season’s performance, making every round potentially decisive for their ranking positions. The humid and demanding conditions in Shanghai only add another layer of difficulty.

World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, however, will not be part of the equation this year. He withdrew after the draw was finalized, which means he will automatically lose the 200 points earned from reaching the quarter-finals in 2024. His absence shifts the dynamics of the draw and offers an opening for the rest of the field.

Also Read: (Video) Jannik Sinner Unveils Terracotta Statue at the Shanghai Rolex Masters