Novak Djokovic is set to make his long-awaited return at the Masters 1000 event in Shanghai next month. The 24-time Grand Slam champion, absent from the tour since his US Open campaign, will bid for a record-extending fifth title at the season’s penultimate 1000-level event.
Since the French Open, the Serb has largely restricted his schedule to the Grand Slams, skipping several key events, including the Masters 1000 tournaments in Rome, Toronto, and Cincinnati. His return to Shanghai could therefore come as a surprise to many. After reaching the semifinals at Roland Garros, he made another deep run at Wimbledon and most recently competed at the US Open in August.
Novak Djokovic Is Set To Defend 650 Ranking Points at the 2025 Shanghai Masters
The former World No. 1 began his US Open campaign with wins over Learner Tien and Zachary Svajda before facing Cameron Norrie in the third round, where a lengthy medical timeout and visible back discomfort raised concerns about his fitness.
Despite the scare, Djokovic rallied to overcome Norrie, then carried his momentum past Jan-Lennard Struff in the fourth round before toppling home favorite Taylor Fritz in the quarterfinals. However, overcoming second seed Carlos Alcaraz proved too much for the Serb, as he fell to the Spaniard in straight sets in the semifinals, bringing his quest for a 25th Grand Slam title to an end, at least for this year.
After nearly a month away from competition, Djokovic is set to make his return at the Shanghai Masters, a tournament he has claimed four times. The Serb’s campaign last year ended with a straight-sets loss to Jannik Sinner in the final. He amassed 650 ranking points from the Masters 1000 event and will defend them this year.
He’s back 🤩
Our 4-time champ, @DjokerNole will return to Shanghai this year!#RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/PaF2DPfcM5
— Rolex Shanghai Masters (@SH_RolexMasters) September 23, 2025
The Serb aims for his 41st Masters 1000 triumph in Shanghai, a venue where he has an impressive 39-6 record, and has won four titles. The first of these came in 2012, where he edged out Andy Murray 5-7, 7-6(11), 6-3. He successfully defended his title in 2013 by beating Juan Martin Del Potro 6-1, 3-6, 7-6(3) in a thrilling final.
Djokovic’s third title in Shanghai came in 2015 with a comprehensive 6-2, 6-4 triumph over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the final. His most recent victory at the Masters 1000 tournament came in 2018, when he did not drop a single set, beating Borna Corić in the title clash.
