After a five-year gap, Novak Djokovic has returned to China for the Masters 1000 events with a bang! Alongside, gearing up to serve up a sizzling performance on the courts, he is immersing himself in the country’s rich cultural and aesthetic beauty. To say that the Serb maestro is relishing every moment on Chinese soil is an understatement. His wife, Helena, would surely agree.

In the past few days since arriving in China, Novak Djokovic has been quite actively updating his followers with a series of captivating TikTok and Instagram posts, showcasing his adventures and experiences in the vibrant country. And his most recent post, featuring him in front of a stunning monument with the caption “Glad to be back in beautiful China,” drew an enthusiastic response from his wife, Jelena.

Underneath the photos, she couldn’t help but express her admiration with a playful comment: “Ouch” along with heart emojis, showing that even amidst his busy schedule, their love shines brightly across the digital and geographical landscape!

Novak Djokovic shared his excitement about returning to China to participate in a prestigious tennis event. It seemed like he longed to be in the country, as he stated, “I wanted to play in China. I said, ‘Okay, I need to play the tournament in Shanghai, it’s the biggest event in China and one of the great 1000 events we have on Tour’. I missed being in China.”

This event marks the 37-year-old player’s 10th appearance in Shanghai. He holds the record for the most wins (34) and has claimed the title in 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2018. Now he is aiming to become the third player in the Open Era to win 100 tour-level titles. Additionally, Djokovic is looking to surpass Roger Federer‘s record for the most titles on hard courts, which currently stands at 71.

But before he gets back into work mode, the player is taking in all that China has to offer. From the Great Wall of China to modern marvels, Novak seems to have developed a genuine affinity for the country and the people, which has rekindled a youthful spark within him.

Novak Djokovic’s memorable and nostalgic adventure in Beijing

Ahead of his trip to Shanghai, the tennis star also visited Beijing, where he took part in a special event hosted by Lacoste at the Ju Yong Guan Pass.  At the event, a unique tennis court was set up for him to showcase his skills alongside popular Chinese actor Wang Yibo. The world No. 4 player was seen wearing a striking green tracksuit that reflected the vibrant fashion of the 90s. He posted pictures of himself in the outfit on his social media with the caption, “Chinese dreams in Lacoste greens.”

What inspired Djokovic to make such a bold fashion statement? He explained, “It brought back the 90s. I’m a kid of the 90s and I remember those days. The music and how everybody, like the music artists, were dressing up. The tracksuit was a big deal. The color was really out there. I was walking on the street and people were like, ‘Woah! What’s going on? This is a little bit too much for our eyes!’ We had fun.”

“I’m enjoying the new style to be honest. I’m starting to expand on what I can wear and what I wasn’t wearing for a long time,” Djokovic said during an interview with ATP Media. He added, “I wasn’t really caring as much for fashion in the past off the court. I was more kind of conservative, jeans or chinos and a polo. That was kind of my vibe for a long time, but now I’m stepping out of the box a little bit and exploring the fashion world.”

As he prepares for the competition in Shanghai, Djokovic not only carries cherished memories but also brings a refreshed sense of style. Will we witness a transformed Novak by the end of this event? Only time will tell.