Novak Djokovic has been given chance to make major statement to the rest of the ATP Tour in Shanghai

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Novak Djokovic continues his busy ATP Tour season at the Shanghai Masters, where he has stormed into the round of 16.

Djokovic is the fourth seed at the ATP Masters 1000 Shanghai, a tournament he has won on four occasions.

Serbian legend Djokovic defeated Marin Cilic in his first match in Shanghai this year, beating his fellow veteran 7-6(7-2), 6-4.

He followed that up with a 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 victory over Yannick Hanfmann in round three, with Jaume Munar now awaiting Djokovic in the round of 16.

The 38-year-old is currently chasing a second ATP title of the 2025 season, and the 101st of his stunning career.

Novak Djokovic has chance to make major statement at the Shanghai Masters

Along with another trophy, Djokovic can indeed prove something arguably equally important at this stage of his career.

And it comes amid the absence of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner at the Shanghai Masters, with the duo undoubtedly the best players in the world at this moment in time.

READ MORE: Novak Djokovic names the ‘best shot’ in his game right now which won him his third-round match in Shanghai

But Alcaraz has withdrawn from the tournament due to injury, while Sinner is out of the Shanghai Masters after retiring hurt during his round three clash with Tallon Griekspoor.

Such circumstances mean Djokovic now has the chance to prove he really is the third-best player in the world.

Novak Djokovic is in unique position amid dominance of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner

Djokovic is trying his best to challenge Alcaraz and Sinner, but it’s clear that he cannot overcome the duo over five sets, much like the rest of the ATP Tour.

The Serbian hugely impressively reached the semifinals of all four Grand Slams this season, but he was beaten by either Alcaraz or Sinner on three occasions.

But their absence at the latest ATP event has paved the way for Djokovic to remind the rest of men’s tennis that he isn’t going away anytime soon.

He’s already been given a boost in that regard given that world number four Taylor Fritz has bowed out of Shanghai, although his old nemesis Alexander Zverev remains.

But unlike Zverev and most others, Djokovic is arguably playing for pride and personal gain at this stage of his career, having already achieved all there is to achieve in tennis.

Likely last on his list is one final Grand Slam success, which would take him to a record 25 titles, but he must wait until next year to get over that particular barrier.

He currently has the luxury of picking and choosing his tournaments, although it’s clear that Djokovic still really wants to win those events that he does commit to.