Novak Djokovic injury news: 204-ranked Vacherot defeated Djokovic to enter the Shanghai Masters final
Novak Djokovic's 2025 Shanghai Masters ended in the semifinals due to a lower back injury against qualifier Valentin Vacherot, ranked 204th by 6-3, 6-4.
Last Updated: 07.24 PM, Oct 11, 2025
Novak Djokovic’s 2025 Shanghai Masters campaign came to an abrupt end when the Serbian star suffered a lower back injury during his semifinal match against Valentin Vacherot, a qualifier ranked 204th in the world. Despite Djokovic’s determination to continue after receiving medical treatment, Vacherot defeated him 6-3, 6-4 to become the lowest-ranked ATP Masters 1000 finalist in history.
Djokovic got injured in the first set
The injury struck during the opening set at 3-4, where Djokovic was seen clutching his lower back and calling for a medical timeout.
The 38-year-old player received treatment on several occasions during the match, including an extended break at the start of the seventh game, where he lay shirtless as a physio attended to his back.
Nevertheless, Djokovic showed his fighting spirit by managing to take a 4-3 lead in the second set before Vacherot won three consecutive games to secure his place in the final.
Vacherot entered top 100
Vacherot, a 26-year-old from Monaco, described the moment as surreal, saying, "I'm trying to pinch myself, is this real?" Facing Djokovic, one of the greatest in tennis history, was "an invaluable experience" for the qualifier.
Vacherot’s performance in Shanghai has been remarkable; he ensured his rise into the top 100 for the first time by defeating Holger Rune in the quarter-finals and has now climbed 146 spots to world number 58 in the live rankings.
The unseeded Vacherot will face Daniil Medvedev in the final scheduled for Sunday.
His stunning run places him among just six players this century to reach their first ATP Tour final at a Masters 1000 event. He is also the first player outside the top 200 to achieve this feat.
Djokovic’s tough time continues
Djokovic’s struggles with injuries have been a recurring theme throughout the 2025 season.
Earlier in the tournament, he vomited courtside during a match against Yannick Hanfmann, struggling with Shanghai’s brutal heat and humidity.
This followed previous incidents where he collapsed due to physical strain and battled muscle tears, a strained hamstring, neck and forearm issues, and an eye infection that sidelined him from several key tournaments.
Djokovic wishes luck to Vacherot
Reflecting on the match, Djokovic congratulated Vacherot, stating, "Going from qualifications, it’s an amazing story. I told him at the net that he’s had an amazing tournament, but more so, his attitude is very good, and his game was amazing as well. So it’s all about him. I wish him all the best in the finals, and the better player won today."