SHANGHAI – Novak Djokovic needed a doctor’s appointment after losing his second set, but recovered to beat Jaume Munar 6-3, 5-7 and 6-2 in a hot and humid condition in Shanghai’s Masters’ degree on Tuesday.
After sending a wide-wide forehand to finish the second set and losing a long rally, Djokovic collapsed to the ground, leaving his forearm spread across his back with his forearm for a few seconds. He then sat slowly and placed his head between his legs before he helped him return to the chair by a trainer.
He was treated in the chair before the start of the third set, but quickly broke Munar after his opponent missed a simple overhead while leading 40-15.
Djokovic, 38, refused a traditional on-court interview after the match, but wrote to X:
A tough day in the office. It’s physically very challenging. Luckily, I have the greatest support in the world š«¶š¼. Our Shanghai pic.twitter.com/pgghha0zqm
-Novakjjokovic (@djokernole) October 7, 2025
This victory made Djokovic the oldest man to reach the final eight in the ATP Masters 1000 event. Two months older than Roger Federer, he reached the quarterfinals in Shanghai in 2019.
Djokovic is chasing the record 41st Masters title.
He is then faced with Belgian Zizou Bergs.
No. 10th seed Holga Rune experienced a tough challenge, beating the massive Frenchman Giovan Nim Petosipalisur 6-4, 6-7 (7), 6-3.
