It's not just about winning anymore—it's about survival. Novak Djokovic admitted he was simply "trying to stay alive" after enduring brutal heat and fatigue to book his place in the Shanghai Masters semi-finals.
At 38, Djokovic isn't just fighting opponents; he's fighting time, too. With a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Belgium’s Zizou Bergs, he set yet another record—becoming the oldest player ever to reach the last four of a Masters 1000 tournament. That milestone also extended his personal tally to an astonishing 80 semifinal appearances at this elite level.
But it wasn’t an easy ride. Less than 48 hours earlier, the Serbian legend battled illness and oppressive weather during his third-round win over Yannick Hanfmann, even vomiting courtside as temperatures soared to 35°C with humidity peaking near 80%. For many players, that would be the breaking point. Djokovic pushed through instead.
Asked what it took to survive such conditions, Djokovic didn’t hesitate: “Pretty much everything,” he said. “It’s extremely tough for everyone out here. I’m just happy I managed to push through.”
Chasing his fifth Shanghai title, Djokovic quickly rediscovered his rhythm against Bergs, dominating the first set with authority. The match seemed wrapped up—until it wasn’t. Serving for victory at 5-4, he was suddenly broken as Bergs unleashed a burst of aggression. But in the end, impatience proved costly for the young Belgian. His 23 unforced errors—compared to Djokovic’s mere eight—told the story of youthful boldness facing steely experience.
“I should have finished it at 5-4,” Djokovic admitted afterward. “I played too safe in that game. He’s powerful and fearless, so my only goal was to keep one more ball in play and make him miss.”
The world’s No. 1 now turns his focus to the semifinals against Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot—a name few fans expected to see at this stage. Vacherot, 26, produced the biggest upset of his career by defeating 10th seed Holger Rune 2-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4. Rune suffered severe cramping late in the match, while Vacherot seized the opportunity with remarkable composure. The win not only booked his semifinal debut but also guaranteed him a place in the world’s top 100 for the first time.
But here’s where the story gets interesting: Can Vacherot do the unthinkable and stop Djokovic, who seems almost indestructible when conditions turn punishing? Or will this tournament further cement the Serb’s status as tennis’s ultimate survivor?
Meanwhile, across China, the Wuhan Open saw its own display of dominance from the women’s tour. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka bulldozed through Belgium’s Liudmila Samsonova 6-3, 6-2 to secure a quarter-final clash with Elena Rybakina. The Belarusian, a three-time Wuhan champion (2018, 2019, 2024), dropped only 10 points on serve while extending her tournament win streak to 19 matches—a truly staggering run after the event’s three-year pandemic hiatus.
Rybakina, ranked ninth, also advanced confidently with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Czech rising star Linda Noskova, setting up what should be a power-driven battle between two of the hardest hitters in women’s tennis.
World No. 2 Iga Swiatek faced a sterner test. The Polish star needed grit and patience to outlast Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic 7-6 (7-2), 6-4 in a high-quality contest that showcased both players’ tactical mastery. Swiatek, who already owns six Grand Slam titles, now faces Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in the quarter-finals.
Paolini advanced in dramatic and unfortunate fashion. Her opponent, Denmark’s Clara Tauson, was forced to retire mid-match after taking the opening set 6-3 but injuring her ankle. Struggling to move, Tauson dropped the second set 6-1 and trailed 3-1 in the third before making the painful decision to withdraw.
And this is the part most people miss: Behind every headline about victory is a story of endurance, fatigue, and fragility. Djokovic’s “staying alive” comment might sound like a casual quip—but maybe it’s also a glimpse into the hidden mental and physical toll of maintaining greatness.
Do you think Djokovic’s battle with age and exhaustion makes his achievements even more inspiring—or is it a sign that tennis needs to rethink the intensity of its schedule? Share your thoughts below—this debate is far from over.
