15:15: Djokovic talks about the match with Sinner
"I'm not the favourite on the pitch, but hopefully I can come out fit enough to compete with him in what could be a long match.
I expect it to be probably the toughest match of the tournament... He knows my game, I know his game. We haven't played since Australia this year. I hope for the best, I'll have to be at my best to win."
Pre-match information
Novak Djokovic was among those who criticised the decision not to ban Jannik Sinner after the Italian tested positive for a banned substance in March. Even though Sinner was found “not guilty” by an independent tribunal, Djokovic and many of his colleagues disagreed.
For them, a banned substance is a banned substance, and for whatever reason, the player must be suspended while the investigation is carried out, as many others have been.
While it won't create a rivalry, it will also increase the tension on the other side of the net as Sinner and Djokovic enter the final of the 2024 Shanghai Masters.
This land has never had a good relationship with Italian tennis players, as before Sinner, no compatriot had reached the final, let alone won the championship. Can the 23-year-old tennis player break the curse?
Djokovic, on the other hand, is the most successful player at the event, with four titles in the 12 editions. All four finals have been won by the Serbian.
The 37-year-old tennis player is now facing an important milestone - his 100th trophy in his career. If he wins, he will enter the "100 Club", after Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103).
A few months ago, Djokovic proved why he should never be underestimated, no matter the circumstances, when he defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the gold medal match at the Paris Olympics.
Djokovic has a lot of experience in major finals and knows how to handle these situations to beat his opponents. However, his mental strength will be tested by Sinner's form.
