Novak Djokovic, at the press conference after his victory against Flavio Cobolli at the Shanghai Rolex Masters, analyzed the victory against the Italian and opened up about his comeback in China also next year.
“My results testify to what I feel when I play here. I have always had great success, both in Beijing and Shanghai. All this is due to the incredible love and support I receive from the Chinese people. My bond is very deep, five years without coming to China were really too many.
I will do my best to come back next year too. I don’t know what 2025 will bring me in terms of schedule and everything. I know I want to continue playing. I will have to see how my body is, but I plan to move forward by giving priority to the most important events. I would still like to return to China, at least for one tournament, for the incredible love I feel here,” he analyzed.
Then the Serb opened up about a comeback in China, even in 2025. An important statement, which underlines the desire of the 24-time Slam champion to still have fun on the court and to try to play in the places where he wrote the history of tennis. But because we must not forget he dominated in China, especially in Shanghai, where he has the record of titles (4). Words that extend his career at least another season, and at high levels. To enter even more into the history of tennis.
Novak Djokovic’s backhand down the line is incredible.pic.twitter.com/xkMe3HxVaG
— Danny 🐊 (@DjokovicFan_) October 8, 2024
On the victory against Cobolli, the Serbian champion explained: “I was really solid from the baseline and I always tried to control the game. All in all, two great sets. I can’t wait to play tomorrow. I will face Safiullin who is playing very well on fast surfaces. I know his qualities and I know what he can do on the court. I will have to be very careful. The advantage of not playing many tournaments is that you are fresher physically. A couple of days without matches can help the body, although it is not ideal to have too long breaks when you play a tournament because of the sensations you feel on the court.”
The Serb acknowledged that his opponent could not be in the best physical condition due to the long match played the previous day. Nole can still be satisfied with the performance and look with optimism to the next match in which he will play for access to the quarter-finals of the ATP Masters 1000 in Shanghai with Roman Safiullin.
“I think I played great tennis from the beginning of the match. I had a clear game plan and I knew what I had to do. It was my first match against Flavio Cobolli, but I saw him play last night. I think the long challenge with Stan Wawrinka affected his physical condition, he wasn’t as reactive as yesterday,” he said.
Novak Djokovic signed the camera with his nickname in Chinese ✍️#RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/xa5WeItqBH
— Eurosport (@eurosport) October 8, 2024