Novak Djokovic left China without his 100th career title after losing the Shanghai Masters final in 2024. He entered the match as an underdog against a younger opponent who has dominated the year. Jannik Sinner, with six titles already, secured his seventh by defeating Djokovic in two sets without facing a single break point.
Djokovic’s loss was not just about missing another title; it was about missing a milestone. Achieving his 100th Tour-level title would have placed him alongside legends like Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer, who watched from the stands as Djokovic fell to Sinner’s powerful play. Despite this setback, Djokovic remained positive about his performance throughout the tournament.
Fans might think that even though he lost, Djokovic still showed great skill and determination during the event.
| Name | Age | Points | Stats 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇷🇸 Novak Djokovic | 37 | 8,360 | 18 - 6 |
Reflecting on Positives:
After the match, rather than dwelling on disappointment, Djokovic focused on what went well during his time in China. “Well, I think there’s quite a few positives that I can take,” he said. “The level of my tennis was really good this tournament.” Losing hurts more when it’s such an important occasion like an ATP Masters 1000 final.
Though reaching 100 titles would be special for many players, for someone like Djokovic who’s won so much already, it’s not everything. He admitted it’s not something he’s desperate to achieve but sees it as a bonus if it happens soon. “It’s not live-or-die type of goal for me,” he explained. His main focus remains on Grand Slams and pushing himself further.
“As long as I perform like this week,” he continued, “I can go toe-to-toe with big guys.” This drive keeps him motivated to compete and see how far he can push himself.
Do you think he’ll reach that magic number soon?
