Dramatic scenes played out amid soaring temperatures in Shanghai as Novak Djokovic fell to the ground following a long rally to drop the second set against the in-form Jaume Munar.
After staying on the ground for half a minute, the Serb opted to receive medical attention and closed out the match in the third set, thus booking his place the quarterfinals. Notably, Brad Gilbert, who previously coached Coco Gauff and Andre Agassi, has commented on the oppressive conditions in Shanghai, where many players have faced similar difficulties.
Brad Gilbert Has Explained How Shanghai’s Heat Is Changing The Game
Veteran coach and analyst Brad Gilbert weighed in on the brutal playing conditions at the 2025 Shanghai Masters, where several top players have visibly struggled to cope with the heat and humidity.
Matches have seen players drenched in sweat even during evening sessions, with some forced to take medical timeouts or withdraw altogether.
❌ Djokovic with a medical timeout after losing a long rally to lose the second set 7-5 vs Munar
😟 He was on the ground for about half a minute… pic.twitter.com/yHp6JSF83Q
— Olly Tennis 🎾🇬🇧 (@Olly_Tennis_) October 7, 2025
Djokovic, 38, also struggled physically during his third-round clash with Yannick Hanfmann. Battling the suffocating heat, the Serb was visibly distressed and even vomited during a changeover in the second set.
Reflecting on the situation, Gilbert said: “Never seen the players struggling so much at night in Shanghai – must be unseasonably humid. Such an opportunity for players that don’t struggle in this weather, makes a big equalizer for a lot of players.”
Never seen the players struggling so much at night in Shanghai must be unseasonably humid, such a opportunity for players that don’t struggle in this weather, makes a big equalizer for a lot of players
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) October 7, 2025
Gilbert’s comments have underlined how the sweltering conditions have leveled the playing field, allowing physically resilient or better-acclimated players to challenge higher-ranked opponents.
Brutal Shanghai Conditions Leave Djokovic, Sinner, And Others Gasping For Air
The 2025 Shanghai Masters has become a survival test rather than a tennis showcase, with extreme heat and humidity pushing players to their physical limits. Several top names, including Carlos Alcaraz, Jack Draper, and Stefanos Tsitsipas, withdrew early, while others battled severe exhaustion and dehydration on court.
Jannik Sinner struggled visibly in his third-round match against Tallon Griekspoor, eventually retiring mid-match after being unable to move freely despite treatment. Novak Djokovic, a four-time Shanghai champion, also endured the brutal humidity, vomiting during a changeover in his third-round clash with Yannick Hanfmann before scraping through in three sets.
Players like Holger Rune and Valentin Royer also suffered physically, with Royer fainting post-match due to dehydration. Meanwhile, the slower court conditions, with the Court Pace Index dropping from 40.8 to 32.9, added to players’ frustration, as highlighted by Taylor Fritz after his loss to Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
This year, the Shanghai Masters, once famed for precision tennis, has turned into a grueling test of endurance.
