SHANGHAI — Novak Djokovic needed medical treatment after losing the second set but recovered to beat Jaume Munar 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 in hot and humid conditions at the Shanghai Masters on Tuesday.
After losing a long rally by sending a forehand wide to end the second set, Djokovic collapsed to the ground and remained slumped on his back with his forearm over his eyes for several seconds. He then slowly sat down and rested his head between his legs before being helped back to his chair by a trainer.
He received medical treatment in his chair before the start of the third set, but immediately broke Munar after his opponent missed a simple overhead while leading 40-15.
Djokovic, 38, declined to give the traditional on-court interview after the match, but wrote on X: “Tough day at the office. Very physically demanding.”
Hard day at the office. Very physically demanding. Luckily I have the greatest support in the world 🫶🏼. 我爱上海 pic.twitter.com/PgGHHA0Zqm
– Novak Djokovic (@djokernole) October 7, 2025
The victory made Djokovic the oldest man to reach the last eight at an ATP Masters 1000 event – two months older than Roger Federer when he reached the quarter-finals in Shanghai in 2019.
Djokovic is aiming for a record 41st Masters title.
He will then face the Belgian Zizou Bergs.
Tenth seed Holger Rune also faced a tough challenge, beating big-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 6-4, 6-7 (7), 6-3.
