Novak Djokovic created history on Tuesday (October 7) at the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena in Shanghai by defeating Spain’s Jaume Munar in the Round of 16 of the 2025 ATP Masters Shanghai Open to seal his place in the quarter-finals of event, where he will play unseeded star Zizou Bergs from Belgium on Wednesday (October 8).
The Serbian put up a heroic display despite struggling with the intense heat in the Chinese city. The 38-year-old was even spotted throwing up, but managed to win the game in three sets. He won the first set before losing the second but made in the decider to emerge victorious by a 6-3,7-6,6-2.
Novak Djokovic Creates History
With his victory, Djokovic created history and set a huge new world record, which was held by Roger Federer for the last six years and became the oldest-ever quarter-finalist in any ATP Masters 1000 events. Quite incredibly, Federer’s feat had also come in Shanghai in 2019. Both Djokovic and Federer are the only players to reach the quarter-finals of an ATP 1000-level tournament after turning 38.
Oldest Players To Reach ATP Masters 1000 Event QFs
| Player | Age | Event | Year |
| Novak Djokovic | 38 years, 4 months | Shanghai Masters | 2025 |
| Roger Federer | 38 years, 2 months | Shanghai Masters | 2019 |
| Novak Djokovic | 37 years, 10 months | Miami Open | 2025 |
| Roger Federer | 37 years, 9 months | Italina Open | 2019 |
Djokovic also holds the record to be the oldest semi-finalist and finalist in any ATP Masters 1000 events, a feat he achieved in the 2025 Miami Open, where he lost the final earlier his year.
This is the 97th time that Djokovic has reached the last eight of an ATP Masters 1000 event, and the Serbian has closed the gap on Rafael Nadal to go top of the elite list as he aims to become the first player to complete 100 appearances in the QFs of events at this level.
Most QF Appearance of ATP Masters 1000 events
| Player | ATP Masters 1000 QF Appearances |
| Rafael Nadal | 99 |
| Novak Djokovic | 97 |
| Roger Federer | 87 |
Meanwhile, Djokovic, who is a four-time winner, has now made the quarter-final of the Shanghai Masters for the 11th time in as many appearances in the tournament.
The Serbian has won the most ATP Masters 1000 titles (40), matches (416), while reaching the final (60) and semi-final on most occasions.