Novak Djokovic has made a triumphant return to China after five years without participating in any Asian tour event. Despite the pandemic hiatus, the Serbian had chosen not to play in the penultimate Masters 1000 of the season in recent editions, so his comeback is bringing great joy to all Chinese fans who were eagerly awaiting the chance to once again enjoy in their country the most decorated player in tennis history.
With a victory in two tight sets against Alex Michelsen, Novak Djokovic started his journey in the ATP Shanghai 2024 on the right foot, showing good form on the court and proving to a crowd that cheered him throughout the match that he remains a contender to win any tournament he plays in, regardless of the court conditions. In a press conference, the Serbian expressed his happiness at playing in China again and made it clear that he never tires of winning.
- Returning to play in China
Nole was surprised by the warm reception he has been receiving, with enthusiastic fans both in the stadium and outside the hotel: "I receive a lot of love from the Chinese fans, and today on the court was wonderful, that's why I came. I missed Shanghai, and even though I've been away for five years, I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for coming to cheer me on and fill the stadium in this way. I have extra motivation because of such intense support from the people".
- Playing against a new opponent
Alex Michelsen is one of the players expected to be a reference in the near future, and at just 20 years of age, he had never faced Djokovic before: "The conditions favor players like Alex. I had seen him play before, he has a great serve and is very aggressive. It was a big challenge for me, especially at the beginning. I'd say he was superior to me in the first five games and it took me a bit of time to shake off the rust of not playing an official match for several weeks".
The match was entertaining, and Nole wanted to highlight it: "The atmosphere was incredible. We played at a pretty high level of tennis in both sets, and I should have closed out the match earlier, but at this level things can change quickly, and that's what happened. I'm happy to stay mentally strong and calm when it mattered most".
- His routine and the expectations he raises
Asked about the busy life of a renowned athlete like him, Nole shared his key to staying well: "We all have different lives and commitments, so comparing is difficult. I try to balance things, and it may seem like my life is perfectly balanced, but it really isn't. Being the best father, husband, tennis player, brother, and son is a big challenge that I try to enjoy as much as I can. When I go through tough times, I try to remind myself that my formula is to give my best every day."
"Expectations are always there. In any tournament I play anywhere in the world, people expect me to win, I'm used to that. And of course, I have expectations for myself. I want to win, that's the mentality I've cultivated throughout my career. It's no different here.
- Olympic Games Final
There was curiosity in the press room about whether Djokovic had watched back his triumphant match in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games final, to which he responded: "I haven't watched the entire match again, but I've seen the highlights several times and the post-celebrations with my family and the following day. The welcome for the Olympic champions in Serbia was something unique, extraordinary, and unforgettable, something I will carry in my heart and memories for the rest of my life. I was lucky that my family was there to experience it live because it's the most outstanding moment of my career. The most intense emotions I've felt on a tennis court were in the moments after winning a gold medal," he proudly concluded.
Novak Djokovic will face Flavio Cobolli or Stanislas Wawrinka in the third round of the ATP Shanghai 2024, where he competes against the top-ranked players to become the champion of this major Asian event.
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Djokovic: "Tengo una motivación extra"