“I wanted to play in China… I said, ‘Okay, I need to play the tournament in Shanghai, it’s the biggest event in China,” Novak Djokovic said last year after coming within one match of the title at the Shanghai Masters. But 2025 paints a very different picture. The Serbian has played almost exclusively Grand Slams this season, with only the Geneva Open breaking the rhythm between Madrid and Roland Garros, and no events bridging Wimbledon to the US Open. Now, in a twist that shakes the tennis world, Djokovic has confirmed his participation at the Shanghai Masters, with Mark Knowles weighing in on the champion’s bold decision.

In a recent podcast with Mitch Michals, former Doubles No. 1, commentator, and coach to one of the top WTA players, Mark Knowles shared his thoughts on Novak Djokovic’s surprising decision to play the Shanghai Masters. “I think Novak’s been pretty apparent and transparent with his schedule, right? I mean, he’s severely focused on the majors, right? Trying to get number 25,” Knowles noted, highlighting the Serbian superstar’s laser-focused mission to chase tennis history.

Knowles also pointed out the commercial dimension of Djokovic’s appearance in Shanghai. “Obviously, I think it’s a sponsorship element, which is great. Shanghai’s fortunate. We’re fortunate. Anytime we can watch Novak play, we want to watch him play. I wouldn’t expect too much. You know, obviously his third gear is still better than most. I don’t think we’re going to see him shift into fifth or sixth gear,” he added, referencing Djokovic’s partnership with Rolex, the official sponsor of the tournament.

The Rolex Shanghai Masters officially announced on Tuesday that four-time champion Novak Djokovic would make his 14th main-draw appearance at the prestigious Masters 1000 event. For the 24-time Grand Slam champion, Shanghai marks his first tournament since the 2025 US Open, where he fell in the semifinals to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz.

Earlier this month, Djokovic weighed in on his approach to the demanding Masters 1000 events. “I do fancy my chances a bit more in best-of-three, I guess, one-week tournaments or the Masters tournaments, where you have almost two weeks with quite a few days between matches. So, you know, that could serve me better in the matchups against them,” the 38-year-old explained, signaling his calculated approach to tournament selection.

The US Open also showcased Djokovic’s strategic recalibration this season. He has taken the Grand Slam-focused schedule to a new extreme, opting out of ATP tournaments entirely since Roland Garros to maximize his chances of claiming a 25th major. “I decided not to play because I wanted to spend more time with my family,” Djokovic explained during his US Open Media Day press conference. “And to be honest, you know, I think I earned my right and have the luxury of kind of choosing, picking and choosing where I want to go and what I want to play.”

Djokovic’s career has been defined by relentless participation and dominance across the ATP calendar, with victories at all nine Masters 1000 tournaments. Yet, in the last five years, he has played no more than four of these events annually, missing both clay-court Masters in Madrid and Rome before Roland Garros, as well as the Canada-Cincinnati stretch before the US Open. “I don’t actually have any schedule other than Slams, to be honest,” Djokovic admitted. “To be quite frank with you, I don’t enjoy the two-week Masters events anymore. It’s just way too long for me.”

Adding a layer of intrigue to his Shanghai decision is Djokovic’s own assessment of his matchups against Alcaraz and Sinner. Following his US Open exit, he suggested that a best-of-three format might play more to his advantage than a grueling five-set battle. This year, he lost to these two stars in three of the four slams, with the exception being the Australian Open, where he defeated Alcaraz in the quarters but suffered a hamstring injury that forced him to retire mid-semifinal against Alexander Zverev.

While Djokovic’s pursuit of a 25th Grand Slam remains the primary narrative, former coaches and insiders remind the tennis world that his biggest obstacles may not be the obvious ones. The physical toll, the strategic scheduling, and the relentless pressure of chasing history intertwine, creating a complex path where even the greatest of all time must navigate carefully. 

Patrick Mouratoglou explains why Djokovic may miss 25th slam

Patrick Mouratoglou, who famously guided Serena Williams to 10 of her 23 major titles, has shared his insights on Novak Djokovic’s struggles to secure his 25th Grand Slam. He believes the Serbian superstar has begun confronting a truth he may have ignored just two years ago: he is no longer invincible, a realization amplified by the meteoric rise of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

“It’s incredible to think that just two years ago, Novak was on top of the world. He was the best player by far in 2023: winning three Grand Slams and reaching the final of the fourth,” Mouratoglou recalled. “He was saying: ‘36 is the new 26, my body is in perfect shape.’” But the narrative has shifted dramatically. “The message has changed. From being untouchable, he started to lose against Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. And now, he admits: ‘my body is not strong enough to fight those two guys in five-set Grand Slams.’”

Mouratoglou pointed to clear signs throughout the season. “At Roland-Garros, there were signs of limitation. At Wimbledon, it became undeniable. At the US Open, he looked exhausted after just two sets against Carlos.” In essence, Djokovic’s trajectory this year has moved from “my body is perfect” to “my body is failing me because of age,” marking a psychological as well as physical turning point.

“The real issue is not whether his body is weaker, but that he seems to believe it. And that belief is new,” Mouratoglou emphasized, highlighting how perception can often dictate performance at the highest level. Even the greatest champions are vulnerable to the subtle erosion of confidence, and Djokovic is no exception.

A strong run in Shanghai could serve as a crucial boost, reinforcing Djokovic’s chances of ending the year in the top four, which would secure a more favorable seeding at the 2026 Australian Open. There, he will pursue an 11th title and the historic 25th major. Outside of Shanghai, Djokovic has only confirmed his participation in the ATP 250 event in Athens, with his entries in the Paris Masters and ATP Finals in Turin still undecided.

Yet, a lingering question hovers over Shanghai: can Djokovic finally claim the title he narrowly missed last year? With age, wear, and rising rivals in the mix, every match is both a test of skill and a battle of belief, and the outcome could define the next chapter of his legendary career.