Novak Djokovic withdraws from the 2023 Shanghai Masters putting out an apology to his fans in China

Novak Djokovic has won the Shanghai Masters a record four times.

Novak Djokovic withdraws from the 2023 Shanghai Masters putting out an apology to his fans in China

Novak Djokovic (Source: People)

Novak Djokovic has announced through his social media accounts that he will not be participating in the 2023 Shanghai Masters. Although the 24-time Grand Slam title winner did not give a reason as to why he is withdrawing from the tournament, he has apologized to his fans for taking this decision and said that the Shanghai Masters is a competition that is very close to his heart. 

“Over the years, some of the best support I receive anywhere in the world is in China. Shanghai has always been one of my favorite tournaments of the season. I will be missing my #NoleFam in China. I hope that I can come back to China in the future and play in front of all of you again,” Novak Djokovic wrote on X, announcing his decision. 

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Although Novak Djokovic has not revealed the exact reason for his withdrawal from the 2023 Shanghai Masters, it is expected that he will be taking a break from tennis after winning the 2023 US Open to come back even stronger. Novak Djokovic is 36 years old now, and he is known to skip a few tournaments after Grand Slams as he prioritizes getting proper rest. 

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He won the Cincinnati Masters and the US Open back-to-back and joined the Davis Cup contingent without any break at all. Thus, he deserves a break and that it probably why he has decided to sit out the Shanghai Masters. 

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Novak Djokovic’s record in the Shanghai Masters 

Novak Djokovic with the 2015 Shanghai Masters trophy (Source: Irish Mirror)
Novak Djokovic with the 2015 Shanghai Masters trophy (Source: Irish Mirror)

Novak Djokovic is by far the most successful player ever at the Shanghai Masters. He won the event a record four times until 2019, which was the year he last appeared in the event. After that, the COVID-19 pandemic hit China and the world, and the Shanghai Masters have not been conducted since. 

The Shanghai Masters is played on outdoor hard courts and is the eighth out of the nine ATP Tour Masters 1000 events. Novak Djokovic has won the tournament in 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2018. Its last edition, i.e., the one in 2019, was won by Russia’s Daniil Medvedev. Andy Murray, who has won the Shanghai Masters three times, is the second-most successful player at the tournament after Novak.