Sinner Aims to Defend Shanghai Masters Title Against Tough Opponents

Jannik Sinner speaks candidly about form and scheduling at Shanghai Masters press conference

World number two Jannik Sinner prepares to defend his Shanghai Masters title against tough opponents, including a potential showdown with four-time champion Novak Djokovic.

“It's going to be a very, very difficult and tough challenge, especially the first match...”

World number two Jannik Sinner is gearing up for a tough defense of his Shanghai Masters title, describing the challenge as “very, very difficult” despite Carlos Alcaraz's withdrawal due to physical issues. Sinner recently won his 21st ATP title in Beijing, defeating teenager Learner Tien, and quickly shifted his focus to Shanghai.

Sinner faces Germany's 49th-ranked Daniel Altmaier in his opening match, having only one practice session to prepare. Altmaier previously beat Sinner in five sets at Roland Garros in 2023. With Alcaraz out, four-time Shanghai champion Novak Djokovic becomes the biggest obstacle for Sinner's repeat bid.

Immortalising our 2024 champion with his very own terracotta statue 😍@janniksin #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/Xx2lFGYhZJ

— Rolex Shanghai Masters (@SH_RolexMasters) October 2, 2025

Sinner has been making subtle adjustments to his game, which he believes are starting to pay off. He's looking forward to playing as many matches as possible to experiment with new strategies and refine his skills. Despite the challenges ahead, Sinner seems optimistic about his progress, saying, “We are quite happy with the work we are doing.”

With Carlos Alcaraz's withdrawal due to physical issues, Jannik Sinner's main rival in the ATP 1000 tournament appears to be four-time Shanghai champion Novak Djokovic. Sinner recently showed dominance on the court, winning titles at the Australian Open and Wimbledon.

Despite having only one practice session to prepare, Sinner is set to face Germany's 49th-ranked Daniel Altmaier in his first match. “It's going to be a very, very difficult and tough challenge, especially the first match... you never know what's going to happen,” Sinner said, acknowledging the unpredictability of his upcoming opponent. Sinner boasts an impressive 41-5 win-loss record in 2025, with 22-2 on hard courts, showcasing his exceptional form this season.

Last year, Jannik Sinner beat Novak Djokovic in the final, but the 38-year-old Serb is coming into the competition fresh after reducing the number of tournaments he plays. This strategic change might give Djokovic an edge in the tournament.

The men's and women's tennis calendar has been a topic of discussion, with many players calling for changes. World number one Carlos Alcaraz recently expressed the need for a schedule overhaul, saying, “They have to do something with the schedule.” Sinner, however, prefers not to criticize, stating, “I don't want to criticise anything.”

“Everyone thinks in different ways... I would say we can still choose as players,” he added.