Novak Djokovic announced on Tuesday he would miss the upcoming Paris Masters, but added he hoped to compete at the tournament next year.

Djokovic has not played an official match since going down to then-world number 204 Valentin Vacherot in the semifinals of the Shanghai Masters earlier in October.

The 38-year-old struggled physically throughout that match, throwing up courtside and receiving medical treatment multiple times.

"Dear Paris, unfortunately I'll not compete at this year's (tournament)," the 24-time Grand Slam winner said on social media.

"I have amazing memories and great success over the years, especially being able to conquer the title 7 times.

"Hope to see you next year."

Dear Paris, unfortunately I’ll not compete at this year’s @RolexPMasters. I have amazing memories and great success over the years, especially being able to conquer the title 7 times. Hope to see you next year. Merci 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/y4iEmMYUAn

— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) October 21, 2025

Last week, Djokovic was forced to abandon his third place match against American Taylor Fritz at the Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia.

The Serbian skipped the Paris Masters last season as he has drastically reduced the number of tournaments in which he competes as he continues his quest for a record-breaking 25th major title.

World number 10 Holger Rune will also miss this year's Paris Masters, which runs from October 27 to November 2, after announcing he underwent an operation on his Achilles tendon.

"Surgery went really well... I will keep you updated on my recovery. But now rest and heal," the Dane posted Tuesday on Instagram.

Norway's Casper Ruud blasted past Frenchman Ugo Humbert 6-2, 6-3 to win the Stockholm ATP 250 tournament on Sunday to win his 14th career title.

The second seed raced through the first set in just 30 minutes, dropping just two points on his serve.

Title No. 14 🏆@CasperRuud98 captures a 14th career ATP Tour-level title as he defeats Humbert in Stockholm@bnppnordicopen | #BNPParibasNordicOpen pic.twitter.com/B71Db2Dlr0

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 19, 2025

The second set was a similar affair as Ruud broke fourth seed Humbert early on and easily served out the match, dropping only one point on his serve in the second set.

He wrapped up victory in just 68 minutes.

Out of this world performance 🌎

A simply flawless @CasperRuud98 takes the crown with a 6-2 6-3 scoreline@bnppnordicopen | #bnppnordicopen pic.twitter.com/g0fu0WD4Hi

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 19, 2025

"I would like to congratulate Ugo for his week and sorry about today. I think I played the best match of the year against you, so I am sorry. I am really happy but sorry Ugo," Ruud said on court after the game.

"I know that against you, if I don't play well, you will destroy me. So I knew I had to wake up and play well.

"All the legends have played here in the past. (Roger) Federer, (Rafael) Nadal, (Bjorn) Borg, (John) McEnroe, you name it. So it is an honour to get a title here."

It was Ruud's second title of 2025 after his victory at the Masters 1000 in Madrid at the beginning of May.

Easy does it 😅💪

The 8th Scandinavian champion in tournament history @CasperRuud98 with the heavy lifting

@bnppnordicopen | #bnppnordicopen pic.twitter.com/7qN5DVzI8T

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 19, 2025

Daniil Medvedev won his first title in two years on Sunday, defeating Frenchman Corentin Moutet 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 in the final of the ATP 250 tournament in Almaty.

Since winning in Rome in May 2023, Medvedev, ranked 14 in the world, has lost six finals including the US Open the same year, and the Australian Open the following January.

882 Days In The Making 🏆@DaniilMedwed captures his first title since May 2023 after defeating Moutet in Almaty@AlmatyOpen_KZ | #AlmatyOpen pic.twitter.com/Uku0Ad2Qpf

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 19, 2025

This year he lost in the second round in Melbourne before going out in the first round at Roland Garros, Wimbledon and Flushing Meadows.

After the US Open, Medvedev started working with new coaches Thomas Johansson and Rohan Goetzke and responded by reaching the semifinals in Beijing and Shanghai.

The 21st victory of his career also boosts his hopes of reaching the year-ending ATP Finals, moving him up three spots to 12th, just 875 points behind Lorenzo Musetti who is in the eighth and final place.

"It is great. I was not super happy with how I played in some moments of the match, but to win feels amazing," said Medvedev.

"In the most important points I played good."

The Russian will compete in the ATP 500 in Vienna next week in an attempt to continue his climb up the rankings.

After two evenly matched sets, Medvedev took the upper hand in the decider.

Close to breaking at 2-1, with Moutet saving four break points, the former world No 1 managed to break the Frenchman's serve at 4-3 before closing out the match on his serve.

WHAT a match. WHAT a tournament. 🤩@DaniilMedwed is well and truly back in the winner's circle with title No.21 after a 7-5 4-6 6-3 triumph @AlmatyOpen_KZ | #AlmatyOpen pic.twitter.com/xKBQmWci5p

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 19, 2025

"The last game was incredible and I am happy to win the title," said Medvedev. "It continues my funny story of 21 titles in 21 different cities."

Corentin, 26, is still waiting for his first career title after a third final defeat following Doha in 2020 and in Mallorca this year.

World No 9 Jack Draper said the ATP Tour must review its packed calendar if young players are to have long careers, after Holger Rune sustained a serious injury and joined a growing list of players breaking down as the season nears its end.

The relentless men's and women's tennis circuits, which run for 11 months, have come under a harsh spotlight in recent weeks with a string of high-profile players, including Draper, pulling out of tournaments and prematurely ending their seasons.

Several women's players have also struggled with health and fitness concerns in the ongoing Asian swing of tournaments, with the likes of Naomi Osaka, Emma Raducanu, Daria Kasatkina, Elina Svitolina and Paula Badosa all affected.

Draper, who is nursing an arm injury that forced him out of last month's US Open, said physical issues were inevitable in a demanding sport like tennis. His comments came after the 22-year-old Rune was left in tears in Stockholm with a suspected torn Achilles.

"Injuries are going to happen," the 23-year-old Draper said on social media.

"We are pushing our bodies to do things that they aren't supposed to in elite sport. We have so many incredible younger guys on the tour right now and I'm proud to be a part of that.

"However, the tour and the calendar have to adapt if any of us are going to achieve some sort of longevity."

'MORE INJURIES AND BURNOUT'

American Taylor Fritz, who won his Six Kings Slam exhibition match in Riyadh on Saturday after Djokovic retired injured, said Draper was right in seeking change.

"Facts, also seeing more injuries and burnout now than ever before," the world No 4 said.

"Because balls, courts, conditions have slowed down a lot, making the weekly grind even more physically demanding and tough on the body."

Reuters has contacted the ATP Tour for comment.

Women's world No 2 Iga Swiatek said the smart option for her amid a gruelling schedule would be to cut her commitments for the sake of her health.

Carlos Alcaraz agreed with the Pole, but the men's world No 1 later defended his move to play in the lucrative Saudi Arabia exhibition tournament - where the Spaniard was beaten by Jannik Sinner in the final.

"It's not really demanding mentally (compared to) when we're having such long events like two weeks or two and a half weeks," the six-time Grand Slam champion said last week.

The Professional Tennis Players' Association filed a lawsuit against the sport's governing bodies in March, with the advocacy group co-founded by Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil describing the situation with the calendar as "unsustainable".

Felix Auger-Aliassime thanked his new bride after he beat Jiri Lehecka 7-6 (7/2), 6-7 (8/6), 6-2 to lift the Brussels ATP 250 title on Sunday.

The 25-year-old from Quebec won his eighth ATP title here – his third this season after Montpellier and Adelaide.

Neither of these powerful servers conceded a break during the first two sets.

But the Czech Lehecka, who also lost in the final last year, saved two match points in the deciding game of the second set before being broken twice in the final set.

"It’s my first tournament as a married man, and I’m leaving with the trophy — I guess I have to give a bit of credit to my wife for this win," he said after marrying a month ago.

Auger-Aliassime married showjumper Nina Ghaibi in Morocco two weeks after making the quarterfinals of the US Open.

Next up for the winner is the ATP 500 in Basle to try for the world top-8 Masters at the end of the year.

He stands ninth just 340 points behind Lorenzo Musetti, who stands in the eighth qualifying spot for the ATP Finals

Monaco Tennis Federation president Melanie-Antoinette de Massy hailed Valentin Vacherot's Shanghai Masters victory on Sunday as a historic milestone for the principality, marking the federation's first-ever Masters 1000 singles title.

Vacherot completed a fairytale run at the tournament on Sunday, rallying from a set down to defeat his cousin, Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech, in the final and secure his first ATP title.

"It's extraordinary," de Massy told Reuters.

"As a sports achievement, winning a Masters 1000 title, the first in singles for our federation. History has been made."

With the win, Vacherot rocketed from number 204 in the world to number 40.

"It's unreal what just happened," Vacherot said after his victory in the Chinese city.

"I have no idea what's happening right now, I'm not in a dream, it's just crazy. I'm just so happy with my performance these past two weeks."

Monaco had previously celebrated two Masters 1000 crowns won by Hugo Nys in doubles. De Massy said that Vacherot's run in Shanghai - which she flew out to witness from the semifinals - capped a "tremendous year" for the tiny nation's tennis programme.

She credited fellow Monegasque players for setting the tone.

"Valentin keeps saying Hugo and Romain (Arneodo) inspired him. They opened the way, and now he's triumphing in singles."

'REMARKABLE YOUNG MAN'

The federation chief, who also presides over the Monte-Carlo Country Club where Vacherot trained as a junior, described the 26-year-old as "a remarkable young man" whose speech after the final reflected a tight-knit, family-style setup that blends the national team with up-and-coming juniors.

"We always try to include the kids in everything," she said, adding that junior players wear the same tracksuits as the Davis Cup team and often share courts and mealtimes with the seniors.

"Valentin definitely gave them a dream this weekend," she said.

De Massy said the Prince of Monaco, Albert II, followed the matches closely and congratulated Vacherot at a homecoming event in Monaco after the final.

She also placed the victory among Monaco's biggest recent sporting moments, citing Charles Leclerc's Formula One successes and past national achievements in sailing and bobsleigh.

"There aren't many times we can say we have an athlete winning major international events. We're extremely proud," she said.

Monaco, with a population of around 40 000 and an area of about two square kilometres, is "punching above its weight" in tennis, de Massy said, noting the men's team's current Davis Cup ranking of 44th among more than 160 nations.

"For a country this small, that's a remarkable achievement. I hope this is just the beginning."

Denmark's Holger Rune says he will be changing his diet in a bid to take himself to the next level after an inconsistent season.

The 22-year-old, currently in action at the Stockholm Open, won the Barcelona title and reached the final of Indian Wells but has not quite been able to establish a top-10 ranking.

"I've talked a lot with my team after Shanghai. That was a big part of the frustrations I had on court," Rune told sports website SpilXsperten. "We've evaluated it thoroughly afterwards and talked it through, and we've found some solutions."

In a huge upset, 10th seed Rune lost to qualifier Vincent Vacherot in the Shanghai quarterfinals as the Monegasque world number 204 went on to win the tournament and set a record as the lowest-ranked player to triumph at an ATP Masters 1000 event.

"Of course, more physical training can be done, and that's also what I need to focus on in pre-season," Rune added. "But we've been looking into my diet to see what I can eat to feel better.

"It's obviously about getting the right vegetables, rice, and pasta at the right time so my body can feel better. It's basic stuff, but it's damn important in order to perform properly – so that's what we're looking into."

Rune has been tipped to challenge the dominance of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner at the top of the men's game but has never got beyond the quarterfinal of a Grand Slam.

"The season has definitely had its ups and downs. I've had both good and not-so-good weeks. Right now, I'm just focusing on the present and on playing well in Stockholm," he said.

Top seed Rune faces Argentine Tomas Etcheverry in the quarterfinals of the Nordic Open ATP 250 event later on Friday.

Rune also chipped in to the argument about court speeds after men's great Roger Federer, among others, suggested that organisers have opted for slower surfaces.

"I actually think it's more the balls than the court that have become slower," he said. "I'm sure something changed after the pandemic. The materials in the balls have changed. I've talked to many current and former players about that too."

(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Ken Ferris)

Novak Djokovic has no plans to retire from tennis with the 24-times Grand Slam winner citing NBA great LeBron James, former NFL player Tom Brady and veteran footballer Cristiano Ronaldo as his inspiration to keep playing.

The 38-year-old's last Grand Slam win came in 2023, but the Serbian shows no signs of slowing down having reached the semis of all four majors this year and is currently ranked No 5 in the world.

Djokovic is in Saudi Arabia where he faces Italian Jannik Sinner on Thursday in the lucrative Six Kings Slam exhibition event for a place in the final against world No 1 Carlos Alcaraz.

"Longevity is one of my biggest motivations. I really want to see how far I can go," Djokovic said at the Joy Forum in Riyadh.

"If you see across all the global sports, LeBron James, he's still going strong, he's 40, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Tom Brady played till he was 40-something years old.

"I mean, it's unbelievable. They're inspiring me as well. So I want to keep going and that's one of the motivations I have."

Djokovic was also eager to be a part of his sport's evolving future.

"I want to also live to see, live meaning still keep on playing professionally, to see the change that is coming for our sport," he said.

"And I'm super excited about it. I feel like tennis is a sport that can be greatly, and will be greatly transformed.

"I want to be part of that change. I want to be not just part of that change, but I want to be playing when we kind of rejuvenate our sport and set the new platform that is going to go on for decades to come."

Djokovic, who won his 100th career title in Geneva this year, was asked whether the younger players, the likes of Sinner and Alcaraz, will need to beat him into retirement.

"I'm sorry to disappoint them, it's just not happening," he said.

World No 1 Carlos Alcaraz has defended his decision to play in the lucrative Six Kings Slam exhibition event in Saudi Arabia after previously saying he would consider skipping ATP Tour events to prioritise his health due to a crowded schedule.

The men's and women's circuits, which run across 11 months with extended formats at several tournaments, have come under fresh scrutiny during the "Asian swing", where extreme heat and humidity contributed to a spate of injuries and withdrawals.

The Professional Tennis Players' Association filed a lawsuit against the sport's governing bodies in March, calling the scheduling situation "unsustainable".

After winning the Tokyo title last month despite playing with an ankle injury, Alcaraz withdrew from the next event in Shanghai, saying he needed time to recover.

His decision to play in the Six Kings Slam, which offers a reported $1.5 million in appearance money with a winner's cheque of $6 million, stoked plenty of criticism from fans.

"It's a different format, different situation playing exhibitions than official tournaments, 15-16 days in row, having such a high focus and demanding physically," six-time Grand Slam winner Alcaraz said.

"We're just having fun for one or two days and playing some tennis, and that's great, and why we choose the exhibitions."

Last year's champion Jannik Sinner is also playing in the Riyadh exhibition event following the world No 2's early exit in Shanghai due to cramp.

"I understand (the criticism), but sometimes people don't understand us, our opinions," Alcaraz added. "It's not really demanding mentally (compared to) when we're having such long events like two weeks or two and a half weeks."

Alcaraz, who received a bye to the semifinals and takes on Taylor Fritz later on Thursday, said his ankle had still not fully recovered. "I don't feel 100 per cent and the doubts are there when I'm moving on court, but it has improved a lot and I'm going to compete and perform well in the Six Kings Slam," he said.

Andre Agassi told AFP on Tuesday that "incredibly gifted" teenage American Learner Tien has the raw ability and mental steel to become one of the top tennis players in the world.

The 19-year-old Tien reached the final of the China Open in Beijing this month and last week pushed former No 1 Daniil Medvedev to three sets at the Shanghai Masters before being beaten in the last 16.

Speaking in Hong Kong, retired great Agassi spoke glowingly about his young compatriot, who is widely regarded as one of the rising stars of men's tennis.

"He has learned the game phenomenally well. He is incredibly gifted, not just with his game, but with his mind," said the former world No 1 and eight-time Grand Slam champion.

"He has to overcome certain physical limitations versus other guys, as far as size and strength (goes), but he's still so young.

"When I really look at him from a tennis player execution standpoint, he's one of the few guys I say to myself, (I don't know) how would I help him get better – he does everything."

The 55-year-old Agassi, in Hong Kong for the Prudential NextGen Aces event, said he was particularly impressed by Tien's cool in the heat of battle.

Comparing him to Australia's world No 7 Alex De Minaur, who is seven years older than Tien, Agassi said: "My gosh, the thing I respect the most, it's like you look at him, you look at De Minaur, they're guys that just find a way to always show up, blood pressure never changes.

"They deliver the fact that they're going to make you beat them, and they have a level where they can raise their game and challenge the top 10 in the world."

He added of the Californian Tien, who only turned professional in 2023 and is currently ranked 38th: "Mentally he absolutely has what it takes."

For the first time in history, tennis experienced a heartwarming and historic moment from the 2025 Shanghai Masters, where cousins Arthur Rinderknech and Valentin Vacherot celebrated reaching the final together.

EMOTIONAL ON-COURT EMBRACE

After Arthur Rinderknech defeated Daniil Medvedev in the semifinal, Valentin Vacherot rushed from the stands to greet him. The two cousins hugged tightly, smiling through tears under the bright lights. It was a moment of pure joy and disbelief — a culmination of shared dreams and years of mutual support.

“Even in the biggest dream we couldn’t have dreamt about this,” Rinderknech said. “It’s a dream that couldn’t even exist at the beginning.”

A FAMILY AFFAIR ON TENNIS’ GRAND STAGE

This was the first time in ATP history that two cousins reached a Masters 1000 final together. Vacherot, ranked No 204, stunned Novak Djokovic, while Rinderknech overcame Medvedev. Their paths to the final were filled with grit, surprises, and historic wins.

A week that will go down in the history books for this family 👬#RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/C17UdJqij3

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 12, 2025

PRESENTATION CEREMONY TEARS

After the final, which Vacherot won 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, Rinderknech broke down during his speech, overcome with emotion. He was unable to speak and later collapsed from cramp, needing assistance. Vacherot, also tearful, continued his speech in front of a crowd that included Roger Federer.

Going through all the emotions 🥹#RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/KCFfhSHeoT

— Rolex Shanghai Masters (@SH_RolexMasters) October 12, 2025

The Paris Masters debuts in its new La Defense Arena home this month, with the vast showpiece court second only in size terms to the US Open's Arthur Ashe Stadium on the current global circuit.

Tournament director Cedric Pioline told AFP it showed the indoor event was "evolving" and the new venue in the western suburbs of the French capital would allow for innovations such as an improved walk-on for the players that will feature a laser show.

The new base will be familiar to TV viewers as the venue for the swimming events at the Olympics last year. It is also the home of French Top 14 rugby club Racing 92 and regularly hosts the world's best-known performing artists.

"The centre court will have a capacity of around 17 500 people, making it the second biggest court in the world for (tournaments held annually), behind the US Open centre court," Pioline, a former world No 5-ranked player who was a beaten finalist at Wimbledon and the US Open, said.

"There will be just over 4 000 seats on Court No. 1 and 4 000 on Court No. 2. Court No. 3 has a capacity of a few hundred seats," the Frenchman added.

The ATP Masters 1000 event runs from October 27 to November 2.

In early 2024, organisers signed a 10-year contract to stage the event at La Defense Arena, a decision made in order to comply with ATP requirements for its biggest tournaments.

Rumours had long circulated that the event would lose its Masters status due to the size of the Bercy Arena – its home since 1986.

"Without any changes on our part, over a medium-term cycle – we are talking about four to five years –- there was a possibility of being downgraded (to a Masters 500 or 250 event)," Pioline said.

As well as enjoying a boost in seating capacity, the tournament's new venue will allow for more room on-court for players.

"We have also decided to increase the playing surface for the comfort of the players," Pioline said. "(At Bercy), the outside courts were a little small in relation to the physical commitment of the players and their coverage of the court.

"Overall, it felt a bit cramped," he added. "We simply needed to be able to evolve," he added of the decision to leave Bercy.

'CONFIDENT' FOR ALCARAZ, SINNER

Pioline emphasised one tradition would be carried on from Bercy to La Defense: the Paris Masters' glitzy player walk-ons. But it will be substantially updated.

"The tunnel that was created (at Bercy) in the 2010s was a great innovation," he said.

"We came to the conclusion that a new venue meant a new show. It will be much more vertical, even more based on laser-type lighting.

"It has to be a truly immersive experience."

Pioline shared he was "confident" the experience for fans would include seeing the top two players in the men's game, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

"The thousand ATP points awarded to the winner will carry weight" in the battle between the Spaniard and the Italian to finish the season at the top of the world rankings, he argued.

After injuring his ankle at the end of September during his victory at the Japan Open, world No 1 Alcaraz decided to skip the recent Shanghai Masters.

Sinner was forced to withdraw in the third round of the event in China.

With the ATP Finals scheduled in Turin from November 9-16, followed by the Davis Cup finals from November 18-23 in Bologna, the end-of-season schedule is "clearly busy, but we are confident", Pioline said.

World number 204 Valentin Vacherot on Sunday beat his cousin Arthur Rinderknech to win the Shanghai Masters 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 and become the lowest-ranked champion in the history of ATP 1000 events.

The all-family final between the 54th-ranked Frenchman Rinderknech and 204th-ranked Vacherot, from Monaco, is one of the tournament's unlikeliest endings to date –- the latter's coach and half-brother, Benjamin Balleret, described it as a "fairytale".

It was just the third ATP Masters 1000 final in history to feature two unseeded players.

"I want to thank someone without whom I wouldn't be here –- that person is obviously Arthur," said Vacherot as he accepted his trophy.

"It's completely mad, I can't believe it," he added in French.

"It would have been better to have two winners, but a whole family won today.

"What we did this week, it's completely crazy, no one can take it from us."

Elder cousin Rinderknech went ahead in the match first, breaking with a backhand in the third game after three unforced errors from Vacherot.

That was enough for the 30-year-old to claim the set in an otherwise well-matched duel.

Watched on by Roger Federer, the second set continued in much the same vein, with neither player able to make headway early on.

Rinderknech faced a break point in the eighth game and saved with an ace, but failed to convert a subsequent advantage to hold.

He found himself on the brink again after an unforced error when he hit the ball into the net, and Vacherot did not miss his chance this time to force a decider.

The third set went off with a bang, with Vacherot taking his cousin to break point almost immediately to snatch the first game.

The 26-year-old Vacherot looked increasingly dangerous as Rinderknech, seemingly flagging in the humidity, scrambled to save multiple break points in both the third and fifth games.

The Frenchman received treatment on his back after the fifth game, having almost been broken four times.

The partial revival that followed made for some tense rallies that energised the crowd, but Vacherot broke again in the ninth game to seal the title, doubling over in disbelief.

'TWO WINNERS'

Rinderknech said after his semifinal that there would be "two winners" on Sunday whatever happened.

The two sat side-by-side, Rinderknech putting his arm around Vacherot's shoulder at one point, as they waited for the prize ceremony to begin.

Both claimed some impressive wins on their path to the final.

Rinderknech took out world No 3 Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev, while Vacherot ended Novak Djokovic's chance at a fifth title, as well as defeating world number 11 Holger Rune.

According to the ATP website, the Monegasque should rocket from 204 to 40 in the rankings.

Both men were overcome with emotion during the ceremony, in tears, and Rinderknech keeled over and had to be helped into a chair.

"I sweated everything I had, I gave it all, and that's all that matters, and I really enjoyed my time on the court," he said.

An ailing Novak Djokovic was knocked out of the Shanghai Masters semifinals on Saturday by world number 204 Valentin Vacherot.

The 26-year-old qualifier from Monaco beat Djokovic 6-3, 6-4 to deny him a record-extending fifth title in Shanghai.

A hobbling Djokovic, 38, threw up courtside and received medical treatment multiple times.

Vacherot will face either his cousin, the unseeded Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech, or Daniil Medvedev in Sunday's final.

"I'm trying to pinch myself, is this real," said Vacherot after the biggest win of his career.

"I know not many of you guys wanted me to win," he told the crowd, who had cheered thunderously for 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic.

"To have Novak on the other side of the court was first of all an invaluable experience for me.

"I have a hundred feelings right now."

Djokovic, the former world No 1, said Vacherot's unlikely run in the tournament was "an amazing story".

Vacherot is the lowest-ranked player to reach an ATP Masters 1000 final since the format's introduction in 1990.

"I told him at the net that he's had an amazing tournament, but more so his attitude is very good...so it's all about him," said Djokovic.

"I wish him all the best in the finals and the better player won today."

HEALTH ISSUES

Djokovic declined to answer questions about his physical state.

He had said after his last match that he was concerned after battling vomiting bouts, leg injury scares and fatigue throughout the tournament.

However, he looked alert and seemed to be having a dream start when he broke in the first game.

But the satisfaction was short-lived as Vacherot broke back instantly.

The Serb began having issues in his left leg at the start of the seventh game, stopping to stretch multiple times and dropping to the ground at one point.

He had to take an extended medical break, lying on his stomach shirtless as a physio attended to his back.

He got up but was still uncomfortable, hitting a ball against the wall in frustration after having to shake his leg out again.

With Djokovic clearly unable to move normally, Vacherot had an easy time breaking again in the eighth game, then fired two aces to hold the ninth and claim the set.

Djokovic received treatment again at the break, but was clearly still struggling in the second set.

In temperatures of 31 C and humidity levels of 62 per cent, Djokovic managed to hold the first game despite facing breakpoint twice and falling to the ground again.

Serving in the ninth game he hit two double-faults in quick succession before recovering, only to ultimately be broken upon committing another.

Despite a last-gasp effort from Djokovic, Vacherot held serve and his nerve to seal victory.

Never forget 🙌

The moment @val_vacherot became an ATP Masters 1000 finalist.@SH_RolexMasters | #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/3bSecRk2bD

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 11, 2025

Daniil Medvedev eased past world No 7 Alex de Minaur 6-4, 6-4 on Friday to secure the last place in the Shanghai Masters semifinals and a date with unseeded Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech.

Rinderknech claimed the scalp of yet another seed in Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime, 6-3, 6-4, to join his cousin Valentin Vacherot and four-time Shanghai champion Novak Djokovic in the last four.

Medvedev, a former world No 1 who has slipped down the rankings to 18th, said he was "super happy to beat such a tough player like Alex".

"It's been a tough year for me so to make the semis here is great," the Russian added.

Medvedev broke in the fifth game and then managed to hold despite a wobbly 10th in which he had to save a breakpoint and committed three double-faults.

De Minaur had his moments but the Australian looked somewhat flat, failing to capitalise when opportunities presented themselves.

A series of errors in the ninth game handed the second set to Medvedev, who finished with an ace and no further drama.

COUSINS IN LAST FOUR

Rinderknech, ranked 54 at the beginning of the tournament, has had a dream run in Shanghai, including beating world No 3 Alexander Zverev.

The 30-year-old's success has been matched by his cousin, Monaco's Vacherot, who booked his place in the last four on Thursday by eliminating Denmark's Holger Rune.

Rinderknech made easy work of 13th-ranked Auger-Aliassime, breaking in the sixth game with a down-the-line winner.

He started the second set with intention, breaking in the first game with a forehand to ensure the Canadian was never able to really get going.

"Sometimes you like to win ugly, and today I thought it was a pretty good-looking win," he joked.

Rinderknech said that getting through his own quarterfinal was far less stressful than watching Vacherot's the day before.

"I'm not used to watching someone and really wanting him to win so badly," he said.

"It was a lot easier for me to be on court today and just control my emotions and do my own thing, that I know how to do."

He said his family WhatsApp group was "burning" at the moment.

"Everybody is just living the little dream we are in, Val and I, so it's really enjoyable."

France's Arthur Rinderknech joined his cousin in the semifinals of the Shanghai Masters on Friday as he claimed the scalp of another seed in Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime, 6-3, 6-4.

Rinderknech, ranked 54th at the beginning of the tournament, has had a dream run in Shanghai, including beating world No 3 Alexander Zverev.

Louder for the people in the back 🗣️@arthurrinder joins cousin Vacherot in making a maiden ATP Masters 1000 semi-final.@SH_RolexMasters | #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/OuUFgFhrHw

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 10, 2025

The 30-year-old's success has been matched by his cousin, Monaco's Valentin Vacherot, who booked his place in the last four on Thursday by eliminating Denmark's Holger Rune.

Rinderknech will face the winner of Friday's later match between Daniil Medvedev and Alex de Minaur in the semifinals.

Threading the needle 🪡@arthurrinder | @SH_RolexMasters | #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/1UUYIQ6m1a

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 10, 2025

"Sometimes you like to win ugly, and today I thought it was a pretty good-looking win," he joked.

"It was good conditions today... with some family in the box, (I'm) following Val again today," he said.

Rinderknech made easy work of 13th-ranked Auger-Aliassime, breaking in the sixth game with a down-the-line winner.

He started the second set with intention, breaking in the first game with a forehand to ensure the Canadian was never able to really get going.

World No 9 Lorenzo Musetti pleaded with the chair umpire to ask spectators to stop coughing in between his serves at the Shanghai Masters on Wednesday, days after the Italian issued an apology for complaining about fans' behaviour in Beijing.

Musetti courted controversy during last month's China Open clash with Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard when he ranted that Chinese fans were "always coughing".

The latest incident took place during Musetti's fourth-round meeting with Felix Auger-Aliassime in Shanghai when some fans were heard coughing loudly and seemingly deliberately when the Italian served in the second set.

"Come on, (it happens on) every point," 23-year-old Musetti told umpire Adel Nour after dropping his serve to go 2-5 down.

"I understand a few times ... I made a mistake, OK, but this is not possible every point. It's too much. Say something."

The Italian went on to lose the match 6-4 6-2.

Quarters here he comes 📣

Felix Auger-Aliassime claims his fifth top 10 win of 2025 with a victory over Lorenzo Musetti at the Shanghai Masters 👏 pic.twitter.com/lYG4VbRgCU

— Tennis Canada (@TennisCanada) October 8, 2025

After his Beijing outburst, Musetti wrote a lengthy apology on Instagram.

"I would like to sincerely apologise for what I said in frustration during my match," he wrote.

"My words were directed only at a few individuals in the crowd who were coughing repeatedly and disturbing the play. They were never, in any way, meant for the Chinese people.

"It happened in a moment of stress and tension in the second tiebreak, but still, this is no excuse at all."

Musetti is not the only player to draw the ire of Chinese fans recently.

American Taylor Townsend apologised for disparagingcomments she made about food served ahead of the Billie Jean King Cup finals in Shenzhen last month.

World No 2 Jannik Sinner launched his Shanghai Masters title defence in fine form on Saturday, breezing past Germany's Daniel Altmaier 6-3, 6-3.

Champion’s start ✨@janniksin kickstarts his title defense with a 6-3 6-3 defeat of Altmaier.@SH_RolexMasters | #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/Mw0b1wfLES

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 4, 2025

Sinner, fresh from winning the China Open, broke early in both sets to take control and ease himself comfortably into the third round.

The 49th-ranked Altmaier's best chance came in the eighth game of the first set, but he failed to convert a breakpoint twice, allowing the Italian to hold with an ace.

The second set provided even less opportunity to seriously bother the 24-year-old Wimbledon champion, but afterwards Sinner said it hadn't been easy.

"It's very tough... I had not a lot of time to adjust for here, it's very different conditions (to Beijing)," said Sinner.

Sinner's path to retaining the title this year has been made easier by the withdrawal of great rival Carlos Alcaraz, who dropped out last-minute to rest.

The Italian's next match is on Sunday against the Netherlands' Tallon Griekspoor.

Four-time Shanghai champion Novak Djokovic will take to the court again on Sunday as well, facing Germany's 150th-ranked Yannick Hanfmann.

World No 3 Alexander Zverev defied a foot problem to book his place in the third round, beating France's Valentin Royer 6-4, 6-4.

The German had a blistering start, breaking Royer in the first game and then hitting three aces to easily hold the second.

The play settled as the Frenchman found his feet, but a crucial stumble saw him miss a break point in the eighth game, and Zverev took the set.

Both players missed chances to break in the second, wowing the crowd with multiple tense rallies.

Zverev finally broke in the ninth game then held the last game to win, despite having to take a medical break after limping off court.

"It's not a nice feeling to finish a match like that," Zverev said afterwards, wincing.

"I'm happy to be through in two sets and I'll keep fighting through."

World No 7 Alex de Minaur is through to the next round after comfortably dispatching Argentina's Camilo Ugo Carabelli 6-4, 6-2.

Russia's Andrey Rublev, ranked 14th in the world, was upset by qualifier Yoshihito Nishioka 2-6, 6-1, 6-4.

But compatriot Daniil Medvedev dominated qualifier Dalibor Svrcina to advance 6-1, 6-1.

Alexander Zverev defied a foot problem to book his place in the third round of the Shanghai Masters on Saturday, beating France's Valentin Royer 6-4, 6-4.

The world No 3 from Germany had a blistering start, breaking Royer in the first game and then hitting three aces to easily hold the second.

The play settled as the Frenchman found his feet, but a crucial stumble saw him miss a break point in the eighth game, and Zverev took the set.

Both players missed chances to break in the second, wowing the crowd with multiple tense rallies.

Zverev finally broke in the ninth game then held the last game to win, despite having to take a medical break after limping off court.

"It's not a nice feeling to finish a match like that," Zverev said afterwards, wincing.

"I'm happy to be through in two sets and I'll keep fighting through."

World No 7 Alex de Minaur is through to the next round after comfortably dispatching Argentina's Camilo Ugo Carabelli 6-4, 6-2.

But Russia's Andrey Rublev, ranked 14th in the world, was upset by qualifier Yoshihito Nishioka 2-6, 6-1, 6-4.

Novak Djokovic said he had to "fire up all engines" as he overcame a stodgy first set to reach the third round of the Shanghai Masters on Friday, beating fellow veteran Marin Cilic 7-6 (7/2), 6-4.

The 38-year-old Serb is aiming for a record-extending fifth title in Shanghai, where he was greeted by rapturous cheers as he entered a stadium packed with adoring Chinese fans.

The combined age of Djokovic and Cilic – 75 years and 139 days – was the oldest ever between two opponents in an ATP Masters 1000 main draw match.

"I did enjoy it, but I also suffered a lot on the court," said Djokovic.

"It was a very close match. He was probably the better player for the first set," he added, saying he needed to "fire up all engines".

 

Things we've missed: Novak Djokovic playing tennis 😮‍💨 #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/0w1EcLDtf1

— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) October 3, 2025

 

The first set was hard-fought, with 94th-ranked Cilic's best chance to break the 24-time Grand Slam champion coming but going in the 11th game.

Djokovic seemed to regain his footing in the tiebreak, steaming ahead to prevail 7-2.

In the second set the world No 5 broke the Croat in the third game and then kept his cool in a tense 10th game to secure victory with a final ace.

Last year Djokovic lost to world No 2 Jannik Sinner in the final.

On Thursday he said he would "love to have the chance" to play Sinner again if they meet in the semifinals.

Sinner will start his campaign against Germany's Daniel Altmaier on Saturday.

SHELTON OUT

The United States' Ben Shelton became the first top-10 seed to be booted out of the competition, beaten by 83rd-ranked David Goffin in straight sets.

The Belgian underdog beat 22-year-old Shelton, ranked sixth in the world, 6-2, 6-4.

Starting strong, the 34-year-old broke the American's serve in the third and seventh games to take the first set in just over half an hour.

The second was more closely fought, but shortly after play resumed following a rain break, Goffin broke in the ninth game after an unforced error by Shelton.

"It was tough to finish it, but I made it with a good service game, so I'm really happy," said Goffin.

 

Second top 10 win of the year 👏

David Goffin takes out the returning Ben Shelton 6-2 6-4 to move on in Shanghai ✅#RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/3jsISB5wAK

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 3, 2025

 

Shelton has been recovering from a shoulder injury sustained at the US Open.

However, Goffin has form when it comes to eliminating top players.

In March this year he upset world No 1 Carlos Alcaraz in Miami and last year in Shanghai he knocked out world No 3 Alexander Zverev.

Teenager Learner Tien – fresh from losing the final of the China Open against Sinner in Beijing on Wednesday – continued his recent good form, beating Serbia's Miomir Kecmanovic to advance into the second round.

Top-ranked Alcaraz is not in Shanghai after pulling out to rest having won the Japan Open.