What next for Novak Djokovic? Plans confirmed after surprising Shanghai exit

Novak Djokovic was on the end of a very surprising 6-4, 6-3 defeat to Hubert Hurkacz at the Shanghai Masters, who, at the ninth time of trying, finally defeated an old foe. This ends Djokovic's rejuvenation period in China as he confirms where he is next setting his sights.

It was obvious that on court Djokovic did not look like himself. The title run in Beijing may have had its impact on the 39-year-old, who soldiered on, but a period in the middle of the match that saw a break of serve on either side of the first and second off left him with too much work to do.

Hurkacz's big serve came in useful, and the four-time Shanghai Masters champion was not able to muster up any form of response throughout proceedings. He was one of the big title favourites and was even touted by some to be currently the best player in the world.

While when at his best his tennis is mesmerising and can give anyone grief on court, his fitness and physical condition can put him in uncomfortable positions and hinder his game.

With this knowledge, he has come out and said his upcoming plans for the rest of the season. With just over a month left of action, there are only a few more tournaments to be played, with the Shanghai Masters culminating the Asian swing. He will then make the trip to Saudi Arabia to feature in the Six Kings Slam before the return to Europe for indoor tennis before the highly anticipated ATP Finals take place.

"Beijing was great and a very early exit here, but it is okay," Djokovic said after the match. "I had a great week in Beijing, and I look forward to resting a little bit and get ready for the indoors."

He shared his intentions of making a return to the ATP Finals, with a warm-up event at the final Masters 1000 competition in 2026 also on the cards. "I would like to [play the ATP Finals]. I am planning on only playing in Paris, so let’s see," he continued. "Hopefully I can have a good result there.”

Djokovic is a seven-time Paris Masters champion. It is the scene of his most recent Masters 1000 triumph back in 2023, and in his last five appearances he has made the final. It would be a first return since his last title in the French capital, with the same for the ATP Finals.

The seven-time winner has not featured in the tournament since defending his title in 2023, meaning the last time he lost was in the 2021 semi-finals against eventual winner Alexander Zverev. With Jannik Sinner ending his season through injury, he is now back in contention to compete in Turin.

(as of livetennis.eu)

Sinner had already qualified, but a knee problem prevents him from defending his title on home turf. Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton are all in, with a great tussle for the remaining spots ongoing.

The China Open result has got Djokovic right back in contention. He sits ninth, which would provisionally qualify him for the tournament. However, his early exit in Shanghai has left him vulnerable from those behind. The defeated Beijing finalist Alex de Minaur is also back in the hunt with Rafael Jodar and Taylor Fritz one deep Masters 1000 run away from possibly surpassing Djokovic in the standings.

He will need to rely on a deep run in Paris to make sure his place is confirmed or to hope that results go his way in the coming weeks.