Novak Djokovic could face Grand Slam champion in his first match since the US Open as Shanghai Masters draw is completed

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Novak Djokovic is gearing up to play his first match in a month at the Shanghai Masters.

Djokovic confirmed that he would play in Shanghai, in his first tournament since losing in the semifinals of the US Open to Carlos Alcaraz.

The Serbian has struggled against both Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in best-of-five set matches this year, but Djokovic could have an opportunity at the Shanghai Masters.

However, there is currently a question of Djokovic’s motivation levels, which could make him vulnerable for a potentially tricky opener at the Shanghai Masters this year.

Novak Djokovic discovers his draw at the Shanghai Masters

Djokovic, who will be the world number five when the Shanghai Masters begins, has played a limited schedule this year.

However, the 24-time Grand Slam champion has now confirmed that he will compete in at least Shanghai and at the ATP 250 event in Athens for the remainder of his 2025 season.

With the draw for the penultimate Masters 1000 event of the year now being revealed, Djokovic knows what stands ahead of him.

As the fourth seed, Djokovic will be handed an automatic bye to the second round, but that is where he will play either Marin Cilic or Corentin Moutet.

Cilic is a former US Open champion, while Moutet has enjoyed somewhat of a breakthrough season and is currently at a career-high ranking of world number 37.

Despite these matches seeming difficult on paper, Djokovic may feel quietly confident as he has won 22 of his combined 24 matches against Cilic (19-2) and Moutet (3-0).

Some of the other threats in Djokovic’s half include Frances Tiafoe, Andrey Rublev, Ben Shelton, and four-time Grand Slam champion Sinner.

If Djokovic is to win his first Masters 1000 title in two years, it is very possible that he will have to go through Sinner and then Alcaraz in back-to-back matches.

Novak Djokovic’s record at the Shanghai Masters

The Shanghai Masters is one of Djokovic’s best-performing ATP 1000 level events, having won 45 of his 54 previous matches at the tournament.

This includes Djokovic winning four titles, with his last coming in 2018 when he beat Borna Coric in the final.

After returning to the tournament last year following a five-year absence, Djokovic was beaten by Sinner in the Shanghai Masters final.

As a result, Djokovic will be defending 650 ranking points at this year’s tournament, which is the only points he has to defend now until 2026.

The main draw of the Shanghai Masters will officially get underway on Wednesday, October 1, with Djokovic likely to see anything other than a title as a failure.