Novak Djokovic has admitted he in unsure what next year will bring in terms of his schedule, but expressed that he wants to keep playing.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion hopes to return to China to play in 2025 as he put his success in the country down to the “incredible love and respect and support” he receives.
Djokovic steamrolled world No 30 Flavio Cobolli 6-1, 6-2 in the third round of the 2024 Shanghai Masters on Tuesday.
The 37-year-old is seeking a record-extending fifth title at the ATP Masters 1000 event and a 12th overall title in China.
The Serbian icon is a six-time champion at the China Open in Beijing, while he also won his maiden ATP Finals crown in Shanghai in 2008.
Djokovic was asked about the possibility of this being his last tournament appearance in China and whether that prospect is making him push harder to perform especially well this year.
“Well, I always want to do very well in China, and I think my past results are a testament to how I feel in China,” Djokovic said in his press conference after beating Cobolli.
“I always had tremendous success, both Beijing and Shanghai. It is definitely due to incredible love and respect and support I’m getting from the Chinese people.
“So, my connection is very profound, and five years has been a very long period of not coming to China, so I will do my best to come back next year.
“I don’t know what next year brings in terms of my schedule and so forth. I know that I still want to keep playing.
“I have to see where I am in my life with my body and everything, but I still have plans to go ahead, you know, as previous years, prioritising the biggest events.
“But then I still would like to make my annual trip to China, at least for one tournament, because of the incredible energy and love I feel here.”
The world No 4 also spoke about his recovery between matches after his third round contest was delayed due to heavy rain in Shanghai on Sunday and Monday.
“Yeah, I mean, I’m feeling good. I think the advantage of not playing many tournaments is that you’re fresh,” Djokovic explained.
“So, I don’t mind playing long matches every single day, whatever it takes. I’ve been recovering pretty well, and as you said, couple days of no match also helps the body.
“Yeah, maybe it’s not ideal, you don’t want to make too long of breaks when you’re in the tournament already because of the game and kind of feeling that you have in your hands with the racquet.
“Yeah, I’m pleased with the way I kind of bounced back off that hard-fought first round win, I mean, second round win, first match. So, I look forward to tomorrow, I’m feeling good about my game and about myself.”
Djokovic will face Roman Safiullin in the last 16 in Shanghai on Wednesday.