Djokovic, despite Achilles pain, showed timely resilience to reach the quarterfinals of the 2025 Shanghai Masters.

Despite suffering from heel pain, Novak Djokovic showed great grit to overcome Jaume Munar 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 and advance to the 2025 Shanghai Masters quarterfinals.

Djokovic advances to the quarterfinals of the 2025 Shanghai Masters.

The round 4 match between Novak Djokovic and Jaume Munar at the center court of the 2025 Shanghai Masters started nearly 40 minutes late due to extended daytime matches.

However, right after the match began, this encounter quickly became one of the most dramatic and emotional contests of the tournament—not just because of the on-court action but also due to concerns about the Serbian player’s physical condition.

Djokovic started powerfully by breaking early to take a 3-1 lead, but shortly afterward, he unexpectedly summoned the doctor. While sitting on the bench, the 38-year-old player performed stretching exercises and repeatedly shook his head before medical staff came on. Although he had a thigh bandage, Djokovic pointed down to his heel—indicating an Achilles tendon problem rather than the thigh muscle issue initially feared.