Serbian tennis legend Novak Djokovic set an incredible new record at the Shanghai Masters on Friday despite suffering in the ‘crazy’ humidity against Croatian Marin Cilic. The 24-time Grand Slam winner progressed to the next round of the tournament comfortably on paper thanks to a 7-6 (7-2), 6-4 victory.
However, the experience in China was anything but comfortable. Throughout the contest against Cilic, Djokovic could be seen asking for a towel to cool himself and mop up sweat.
A fact he addressed during his post-match press conference. “The humidity here is crazy, honestly,” he explained.
“I don’t remember the weather being this humid in China. I can’t remember the last time I played in humidity like this.
“It is what it is; it’s the same for me, my opponent, and everyone else. You have to accept it and deal with it.
“You sweat a lot, the laundry bills are going to be really high this week, but it’s great. I hope it doesn’t stop me.”
Coming off the court, Djokovic will be delighted to have set a new record that will take some effort to beat. The 38-year-old has now amassed 20 or more victories against seven opponents on the ATP Tour.
His most victories have come against his old rivals; Rafael Nadal (31), Roger Federer (27) and Andy Murray (25). However, he has also managed to beat Tomas Berdych 25 times, Stanislas Warwinka on 21 occasions and Gael Monfils 20 times.
Victory over Cilic in Shanghai means that he has also been defeated 20 times by Djokovic now. Next up for Djokovic is a clash with the unseeded German Yannick Hanfmann.
The pair have only met once and never on a hard court. That meeting came last year on clay at the Geneva Open.
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Djokovic was successful on that occasion in straight sets 6-3, 6-3.