SHANGHAI, China: Tennis star Novak Djokovic showed incredible grit and determination on Tuesday as he battled not only his opponent, Spain’s Jaume Munar, but also harsh physical conditions at the Shanghai Masters.
The Serbian tennis legend secured a hard-fought victory in the round of 16 with a scoreline of 6-3, 5-7, 6-2, booking his place in the quarterfinals.
However, Djokovic’s triumph came amid visible struggles as he vomited on court for the second consecutive day.
The 38-year-old star had earlier vomited during his second-round match against Yannick Hanfmann, a clear sign that the extreme heat and humidity in Shanghai were taking a toll.
“The conditions are brutal,” Djokovic admitted after the match. “It’s really difficult to play in over 80 percent humidity, especially during the day with the heat and sun. Biologically, it’s more challenging for me at this age.”
During Tuesday’s match, Djokovic clinched the first set 6-3 but suffered an ankle injury that forced him to request a medical timeout.
The relentless weather and physical strain seemed to get the better of him in the second set, allowing Munar to edge ahead and take it 7-5.
Djokovic actually vomited multiple times during the match… pic.twitter.com/NEQoSO3V8N
— Corvath Draemir (@Archaicmind3000) October 5, 2025
Despite the setback, Djokovic rallied in the final set. Showing his trademark resilience, he jumped out to an early 2-0 lead and never looked back, closing out the match 6-2 in the decider.
Also read: Extreme Heat Forces Tennis Body to Consider New Safety Measures
Fans at the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena witnessed a gritty performance from the 24-time Grand Slam champion, who fought through discomfort and illness to keep his Shanghai Masters campaign alive.
With this win, Djokovic moves into the quarterfinals, but the toll of Shanghai’s extreme conditions has sparked conversations about player safety and the challenges of competing in such a punishing environment.
