“I hope to see many of you soon”: Novak Djokovic apologizes for missing airport welcome

Novak Djokovic was escorted from the airport in China and apologized to fans after missing the warm welcome of those awaiting his arrival. The Serbian returns to the courts at the Shanghai Masters next week, aiming for his 5th title in Shanghai.

Nole is the tournament's most successful player, with four titles in nine appearances, and he will be playing in Shanghai for the first time since 2019. The 24-time Grand Slam champion was stopped by fans on the streets of Shanghai and explained that he was escorted out of the airport through an alternative exit.

According to Sportal.rs, the Serbian apologized to the fans after being forced to leave the airport without meeting them: “I am in China after five years and I miss you. I'm so sorry, really sorry that we didn't meet at the airport yesterday.”

“I was sad when I found out. I didn't know you were there. They took me to another exit. I hope to see many of you in Beijing or Shanghai soon. I'm excited to be in China, mostly because of you who have been following me for years. I love you, I love you all.”

Djokovic is looking to get back to winning ways after his early third-round exit at the US Open against Alexei Popyrin. The Serbian failed to win any Grand Slam titles this season for the first time since 2017, but there are still a couple of challenges left before the season ends. Nole is 9th in the ATP Race and remains close to qualifying for the ATP Finals, although he will need deep runs in his last few tournaments to secure his spot in Turin.