Online Reporter
Novak Djokovic will return to action in Shanghai next month in his first tournament since his U.S. Open semi-final defeat by Carlos Alcaraz, organisers of the Masters tournament said.
The Serb has won the event four times and will be making his 14th main-draw appearance as he looks to finish the season strong after being shut out of the Grand Slams by world number one Alcaraz and number two Jannik Sinner.
“He’s back. Our four-time champ, @DjokerNole will return to Shanghai this year,” the tournament posted on social media.
The 24-times major winner has struggled to find a way past the new duo dominating men’s tennis in the last two seasons but had said in New York that best-of-three set matches gave him a better chance.
The 38-year-old reached the final in Shanghai last year, losing to Sinner in straight sets. This year’s tournament runs from October 1-12.
Meanwhile, former world number three Elina Svitolina has ended her season early to focus on her mental health, with the Ukrainian saying she is not in the “right emotional space” to continue.
Svitolina, who returned to the circuit in 2023 following maternity leave, reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open and French Open this year but lost in the third round of Wimbledon and went out at the first hurdle at Flushing Meadows.
The world number 13 helped Ukraine reach the Billie Jean King Cup semi-finals, where she was beaten in three sets by Jasmine Paolini last week.
“I haven’t been feeling like myself lately. I’m not in the right emotional space, and I don’t feel ready to play, so I am therefore ending the season here,” Svitolina said on Instagram.
“Over the years, I’ve learned that this sport isn’t about money, fame, or rankings – it’s about being ready to fight and to give your all. Right now, I’m simply not at the level mentally or emotionally to do that. I’m giving myself the space I need to heal and recharge, instead of forcing it and when I step back on the court.”
Svitolina said last month that she was inundated with online abuse, including death threats, after her Canadian Open defeat ahead of the U.S. Open, blaming the “shameful” behaviour on disgruntled bettors. -Reuters
