Novak Djokovic and Juan Martin del Potro played out a classic three-setter in the Shanghai Masters final in 2013. However, Djokovic’s weird antics during the match stole the show. The footage of the Serbian tangling himself during points and falling over on the court are resurfacing on the internet and fans’ are comparing it to the playing style of Daniil Medvedev.
Djokovic clarified that it was something to do with his footing and he was struggling with his shoes. The Serbian went on to win the final in three sets to lift yet another trophy in 2013.
Novak Djokovic lost his body control at the Shanghai Masters 2013 final
Novak Djokovic made it to the final of the Shanghai Masters after beating Jo-Wilfred Tsonga in the semifinals, while del Potro defeated Rafael Nadal in the semi-final. Djokovic defeated del Potro in the final to win his fifth ATP title of the year 2013 and also signed off a successful two weeks in China, having beaten the then world number one Rafael Nadal to earn his fourth China Open title.
During the final, Novak Djokovic was in control of the match and won the first set before dropping the second set. During the second set, the Serbian started to lose his balance and got in weird body positions during many points. Djokovic almost swung himself out of multiple shots, stumbled over his own feet, dropped his racket, and appeared to knock himself over with an inaccurate forehand, all in one service game. The Serbian was clearly struggling with his footing but came back to win the third set to win the final 6–1, 3–6, 7–6 against the Argentine.
While the video of Djokovic playing with weird positions and technique has surfaced again on the internet, tennis fans started to give their opinion about the same. Some even compared Djokovic’s ‘drunk playing style’ to that of Daniil Medvedev.
Everyone is posting their favourite Shanghai tournament moments but nobody that I’ve seen has yet posted THE BEST Shanghai tournament moment and that is when Novak Djokovic lost all control of his body on the court.pic.twitter.com/3mQPtc2Wkt
— Scott Barclay (@BarclayCard18) September 27, 2023
I thought he was just imitating Medvedev.
— Siva (@ptenisnet) September 27, 2023
i will never understand that 💀 like his software just bugged out
— kieran (@opthiemist) September 27, 2023
Ah, the infamous Drunken Master!
— Matt.V (@TheSentinel909) September 27, 2023
This still remains as one of, if not the most bizarre things I’ve seen on a tennis court. Looked like he was heading in that direction @usopen this year as well. 🤷♂️
— Steve Lehrman (@slehrm) September 28, 2023
I remember watching that thinking “What the hell is going on!”🤣
— M Kim murphy 🐊🐘☎️ (@MKimmurphy) September 27, 2023
This looks like medvedev took over Djoker’s soul 😂
— Murali (@murali_iygr) September 28, 2023
Danill Medvedev’s soul kept entering his body and he kept resisting
— NoleMania (@talrejaa8) September 27, 2023
Despite the little hiccup, Djokovic went on to win the match and bag another ATP Masters title in 2013. This win kept the Serbian dream of securing the year-end No.1 ranking alive. Djokovic later addressed his weird service game later in the post match conference.
Djokovic plays down the shoes incident post match
Speaking to the media post his victory in the final, Novak Djokovic played down his shoe troubles by simply saying ‘It happens.’ The Serbian admitted that he allowed del Potro back in the game after his weak service game but also praised the Argentine for his gritty performance.
The Serbian suffered a foot injury in the run-up to the final during his win against the Spanish opponent Marcel Granollers. In the first game of the second set, Djokovic struck a running backhand and immediately winced in pain. The Serb requested a medical timeout after the game to have his foot bandaged. The indifferent service game from Djokovic in the second set of the final could have been due to the effects of this earlier injury.
