Novak Djokovic is on the verge of a major milestone, with the opportunity to claim the 100th title of his illustrious career in the final of the Shanghai Rolex Masters. The Serbian star secured his place in the final by defeating Taylor Fritz in straight sets, despite battling physical issues that forced him to take a medical timeout late in the second set. Now, Djokovic faces a challenging showdown against Italy’s Jannik Sinner in what promises to be a high-stakes encounter.
Ahead of the final, Djokovic reflected on his upcoming battle with Sinner, acknowledging the difficulty of the task ahead. Although Djokovic holds a 4-3 lead in their head-to-head meetings, Sinner has had the upper hand in their most recent matches, defeating the Serb in the 2023 Davis Cup Finals and the 2024 Australian Open. In the press conference, Djokovic admitted that Sinner, especially on hard courts, is “the player to beat right now.”
“He knows my game, and I know his. We haven’t played since the Australian Open, and it will take my best level to win. I hope I can do it,” Djokovic said. “I won’t be the favorite, but I hope I’m fresh enough to fight him. It’s going to be a long match, the toughest match of the tournament for me, and I have to be ready. He’s the best player in the world right now. He’s played incredible tennis in the last 12 months and has been consistent.”
Djokovic also reflected on his journey to the final, particularly the win against Fritz. The victory was hard-fought, but the 37-year-old champion expressed gratitude for reaching yet another Masters 1000 final, his 59th in total. He noted how special it felt to be on the verge of his 100th title in China, a place where he’s enjoyed tremendous success in the past.
“It seems like fate wants me to fight for the 100th title in China, where I’ve had great success and where I receive a lot of support,” Djokovic shared. “The atmosphere tonight was electric, and the fans pushed me through. Playing in front of such energy motivates me even more.”
While Djokovic’s fitness remains a concern, his determination and the support from the crowd will undoubtedly play a significant role as he faces one of his toughest challenges yet in Jannik Sinner. All eyes are now on whether the tennis legend can rise to the occasion and secure his century of titles.
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