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via Getty

via Getty

The past few weeks in the life of Novak Djokovic have been nothing short of hectic and demanding. The Serbian tennis maestro has been on a whirlwind tour of the tennis circuit, juggling one major event after another, leaving little time for rest and recuperation. Not just juggling, the legend is winning as well, Djokovic started his streak with the Cincinnati Masters title, then he went on to win the coveted US Open title and is now playing at Davis Cup. Well, the chickens have come home to roost for the 36-year-old champion who just dropped a bombshell update.

On a side note, this recent news might come as a relief to some as it significantly increases Carlos Alcaraz’s chance to return to no. 1 by the year end. This is predicated on Alcaraz’s performance at Shanghai and Basel. The only chink in his armor would be Russian US Open Runner, Daniil Medvedev, who is still looking strong after his win against Alcaraz in the SF of US Open.

Novak Djokovic’s major Shanghai Masters update

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The tennis world was taken by surprise when it was announced that Novak Djokovic, the current world No.1 player, won’t be competing in the Shanghai Rolex Masters. This unexpected decision was made due to Djokovic’s ongoing back injury, and it has left fans and experts wondering about its impact on the tennis scene. He disclosed, “I am sorry not to be playing in Shanghai, one of my favourite tournaments, but I have not recovered yet from my injury”, Novak said. “I did another check this week and the results are not good so I need to continue my rehabilitation,” as reported by ESPN.

Shanghai Rolex Masters Tournament Director, Michael Luevano, expressed his understanding and well wishes for the Serbian superstar. Luevano shared his sympathy with Djokovic and wished him a speedy recovery. He also welcomed for the tournament next year. Djokovic’s involvement in Shanghai was highly anticipated as the tournament is back after a 3 year hiatus due to COVID related travel restrictions. Djokovic later took to X to break the news to the Nole Fam.

Djokovic’s heartfelt farewell to China

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Djoker directly addressed his fans and conveyed his thoughts about having to withdraw from the tournament. He stated, “Over the years, some of the best support I receive anywhere in the world is in China. Shanghai has always been one of my favorite tournaments in the season. I will be missing my #NoleFam in China. I hope that I can come back to China in the future and play in front of all of you again.”

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This opens up Alcaraz’s contention to be No. 1 significantly. Although Carlos Alcaraz’s rapid rise in tennis has been remarkable, it’s important to remember that Daniil Medvedev, the brand new unexpected nemesis of Alcaraz, is also a strong contender for the title.

ALSO READ: ‘Difficult to Compare’ – A Week After Novak Djokovic’s US Open Victory, Serena Williams’ Ex-Coach Dishes Out the Ultimate Verdict on the GOAT Debate in Tennis

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While it’s unclear whether Djokovic will participate in Paris, fans are optimistic that the Serb will soon return to the pro circuit. As the world anticipates Novak Djokovic’s return to competitive tennis, he remains dedicated to his rehabilitation efforts, working tirelessly to overcome his lingering injury.

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