Novak Djokovic has made it clear that he isn’t too worried about the remainder of his 2024 season.
Djokovic was upset by Alexei Popyrin at this year’s US Open, guaranteeing that the Serb will finish the year without a Grand Slam title for the first time since 2017.
Replying to questions over his schedule for the remainder of the season, Djokovic seemed disinterested in playing some of the bigger tournaments on the calendar.
“As far as I’m concerned I’m done with those tournaments [ATP Finals and non-Grand-Slam events] for my career.
“I’m going to play in China, and then in an exhibition tournament in Saudi Arabia. After that, I don’t know. We’ll see how I feel and we’ll judge.”
Djokovic will play in the first-ever Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia later this year alongside Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Jannik Sinner, and Holger Rune.
The event in Riyadh has sparked controversy, but it won’t be the strangest exhibition Djokovic has left on his schedule.
Djokovic plays tennis on the Great Wall of China
While many of his ATP counterparts prepare for next week’s Master’s 1000 event in Shanghai by playing in Beijing or Tokyo, Djokovic is up to something a little bit different.
Djokovic appeared in a Tik Tok video for his main apparel sponsor, Lacoste, where he was asked what the craziest event he could imagine would be.
The Serb replied: “Playing tennis on the Great Wall of China, I’ve never done that”.
The event, branded as #LacosteTheGreatWall a Tribute to Novak Djokovic took place on Sunday, and saw the Serb playing tennis on the world-famous landmark with Chinese actor Wang Yibo.
Fans enjoyed the two superstars playing tennis in the pouring rain on the Great Wall of China, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for everyone involved.
The video shows a section of the wall decorated by the Sponsor in preparation for the event.
How competitive will Djokovic be in Shanghai?
The Olympic Gold Medallist’s competitive return to tennis will come in Shanghai next week for the penultimate Master’s 1000 event of the season.
Having taken a break from action after his third-round defeat in New York, fans are unsure of what to expect from the World Number four.
However, whilst 2024 may not have gone quite to plan for the Serb, there are reasons to be hopeful if you’re a Djokovic supporter.
Four times a champion in Shanghai, he certainly has the pedigree on Chinese hardcourts and whilst the likes of Medvedev, Alcaraz, and world number one Sinner will provide some tough opposition, there is no reason why Djokovic shouldn’t be considered one of the favorites to take home the title.
The draw for this year’s Shanghai Masters will take place on Monday.
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