The 38 year old serb battled heat and injury to become the oldest ATP Masters quarter-finalist
Novak Djokovic collapsed on court in brutal heat at the Shanghai Masters before rallying to secure a dramatic three-set victory over Spain’s Jaume Munar, reaching the quarter-finals and making history as the oldest man ever to reach the last eight of an ATP Masters 1000 event.
The 38-year-old Serbian, who had shown signs of fatigue earlier in the week, looked on the brink of retirement during his 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 win after battling soaring temperatures and humidity. Midway through the second set, Djokovic visibly struggled with his breathing, at one point collapsing to the ground behind the baseline and remaining motionless before being assisted by medical staff.
Djokovic, already nursing a left Achilles problem with visible strapping around his leg, had been treated courtside before the collapse. Despite the scare, he refused to retire, taking time to have his vitals checked before returning to play. What followed was a defiant display of grit from one of tennis’s greatest fighters.
Having dropped the second set after a draining rally, Djokovic somehow found the reserves of energy to dominate the decider. His movement steadied, his serve regained precision, and his trademark intensity returned as he broke Munar twice to close out the match in two hours and 44 minutes.
“It was brutal out there,” Djokovic admitted afterwards in a brief post-match statement. “I had to really weather the storm.” The world No. 4 declined the traditional on-court interview, opting instead to recover in the locker room after his draining effort.
The punishing conditions in Shanghai have tested many players this week, with several suffering from heat-related fatigue. Jannik Sinner was forced to retire in his previous match, while others have cited dehydration and exhaustion. Carlos Alcaraz’s absence from the tournament further opens the door for Djokovic to claim what would be his first Masters 1000 title since 2023.
Djokovic looked troubled from the outset, grimacing and shaking his head after just four games. Though visibly uncomfortable, he broke early in the first set and held firm to take it 6-3. His precision and experience initially appeared to outweigh his physical struggles. But in the second set, Munar’s persistence and consistency began to tell. The Spaniard extended rallies, forcing Djokovic into long exchanges that left him gasping for breath.
As the temperature climbed, Djokovic’s energy visibly drained. He bent double between points, wiped his face repeatedly with ice towels, and showed signs of dizziness. After losing the second set 7-5 on a gruelling rally, he slumped to the court and was helped to his chair by a trainer.
What followed was classic Djokovic — a comeback driven by sheer willpower. Once he steadied himself, his level rose sharply. His serve found rhythm, his baseline shots regained depth, and he began to dictate points once more. Munar, ranked world No. 63, had no answer as Djokovic broke early and closed out the match with trademark precision.
The victory sets up a quarter-final clash with Belgian Zizou Bergs, who upset the odds to reach the last eight. For Djokovic, it marks yet another record in a career defined by endurance and excellence — the oldest player to reach a Masters 1000 quarter-final, surpassing his own era’s veterans.
Tenth seed Holger Rune also booked his place in the quarter-finals after a three-set battle against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, prevailing 6-4, 6-7 (7), 6-3.
Djokovic, though, was the story of the day in Shanghai — a reminder that even as he nears 40, his resilience remains unmatched. The image of him sprawled on the court before rising to victory added yet another chapter to his legend.