“Djokovic Brushes Off Missing 100th Career Title in Shanghai, Stays Focused on the Bigger Picture”

Novak Djokovic had his sights set on reaching a major career milestone by winning his 100th title at the 2024 Shanghai Masters. However, the Serbian legend fell just short, losing in the final to rising star Jannik Sinner. Despite the disappointment of missing this historic achievement, Djokovic remained focused on the positives after the match.

Heading into the final, Djokovic knew he faced a tough challenge. At 37, he was up against Sinner, who has been in tremendous form throughout 2024. The young Italian came into the final with six titles already under his belt this year, and he added his seventh with a commanding performance, defeating Djokovic in straight sets. Sinner didn’t face a single break point, showing why he’s considered one of the top players of the season.

For Djokovic, the Shanghai Masters represented not just an opportunity to win his first Tour-level title of 2024 (aside from the gold medal at the Paris Olympics), but also a chance to join tennis legends Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer in the elite 100-title club. Federer, Djokovic’s longtime rival, was even in attendance to witness the final, adding another layer of intrigue to the match.

Despite the loss, Djokovic chose to focus on the positives from his run in Shanghai. “Well, I think there’s quite a few positives that I can take,” Djokovic reflected. “First of all, I think the level of my tennis was really good this tournament, probably best after Olympic games in terms of how I played, how I performed, how I fought.”

While missing out on a landmark 100th title may sting, Djokovic made it clear that it’s not an obsession. “Well, I mean, that’s a bonus, you know, if that can happen,” he said. “I definitely wish it could have happened today, but it wasn’t meant to be. I’ve achieved all of my biggest goals in my career, and right now, it’s really about the Grand Slams.”

Djokovic emphasized that as long as he can compete at the highest level, he will continue to be motivated. “As long as I perform the way I performed this week, and I think I can go toe-to-toe with the big guys, I’ll still feel the need to keep competing,” he added. “Let’s see how long that’s going to last.”