Match Response
Gracious Djokovic focuses on Vacherot, not bodily struggles after Shanghai loss: ‘All about him’
4-time Shanghai champ speaks about Monegasque standout’s dream run
October 11, 2025
Lintao Zhang/Getty Pictures
Novak Djokovic departs after his straight-sets semi-final loss towards Valentin Vacherot on Saturday in Shanghai.
By ATP Workers
After a match of bodily challenges on the Rolex Shanghai Masters, Novak Djokovic selected to deal with praising his opponent following his semi-final loss towards World No. 204 Valentin Vacherot.
“I wish to congratulate Valentin for reaching his first Masters [1000] last,” Djokovic stated. “Going from {qualifications}, it is a tremendous story. I advised him on the internet that he is had a tremendous match, however extra so his angle is superb, and his recreation was superb as effectively.”
Djokovic confirmed nice perseverance all through the match to achieve the final 4, and was inside two victories of a record-extending forty first ATP Masters 1000 title and first on the stage for the reason that 2023 Rolex Paris Masters.
However the former No. 1 participant within the PIF ATP Rankings was unable to navigate previous the Monegasque qualifier Vacherot, who turned the lowest-ranked finalist in Masters 1000 historical past, of their first Lexus ATP Head2Head assembly.
After the match, Djokovic graciously congratulated the 26-year-old on the internet and opted to deal with the previous faculty tennis standout at Texas A&M College somewhat than his illnesses through the occasion. He didn’t focus on these struggles.
“It’s all about him,” Djokovic stated. “I want him all one of the best within the last, and the higher participant gained at this time.”
After defeating former World No. 3 Marin Cilic in his opening match of the match with out clear indicators of issue, Djokovic started going through hurdles.
Within the third spherical towards Yannick Hanfmann, Djokovic needed to overcome the humidity and appeared to vomit throughout a two-hour, 42-minute comeback win.
“It is the identical for each participant out on the court docket, nevertheless it’s brutal,” stated Djokovic, who shortened factors through the match to show the conflict in his favour.
The 38-year-old once more needed to conquer greater than his opponent within the Spherical of 16, receiving a number of medical timeouts for a leg situation in a two-hour, 40-minute triumph towards Jaume Munar. He additionally regularly used an ice towel and threw up a number of instances, laying on the court docket after dropping the second set.
However Djokovic continued to battle via, as soon as once more exhibiting his grit within the quarter-finals. he shook off what gave the impression to be an issue together with his left foot to beat Zizou Bergs in straight units.
“I used to be simply attempting to remain alive on the court docket,” Djokovic stated. “I’m glad to beat this hurdle.”
The four-time Shanghai champion did all the things he may to discover a means via towards Vacherot on Saturday, even sticking his head in a courtside bucket to attempt to compose himself.
After saving break level within the first recreation of the second set, Djokovic fell to his knees. However the Serbian rose and continued to battle on, throwing all the things at his Monegasque opponent, sending the gang in China right into a frenzy regularly together with his shotmaking and athleticism.
All through the match, the crowds on the Rolex Shanghai Masters confirmed huge help for the 100-time tour-level titlist, each throughout matches and off the court docket. Djokovic expressed his appreciation a number of instances, together with on social media.
On this event, although, it was not sufficient. Vacherot superior to the ultimate and a gracious Djokovic departed the match’s centre court docket sharing a smile and a coronary heart together with his palms to thank the followers for his or her help.
