Novak Djokovic admitted an area where he still needs to improve as he spoke of his love of China ahead of the Shanghai Masters.

Novak Djokovic has tried out his Chinese language skills ahead of the Shanghai Masters (Image: Getty)

Novak Djokovic has admitted something he still needs work on as nears the end of his illustrious career – his Chinese language skills. The 24-time grand slam winner is in the Far East for the Shanghai Masters.

The Serbian great has been building up to the tournament by enjoying the country he last visited five years ago, including playing tennis on the Great Wall of China as part of a publicity stunt. Speaking about his continued love of tennis and desire to remain in the sport beyond retirement, he said in Chinese during a press conference: “My love for tennis is as deep as ever.”

Back in English, he added: “Something like that. I guess the Chinese, I see a lot of eyebrows being lift up, so probably missed a couple of words there.

Novak Djokovic spoke of his love of China ahead of the Shanghai Masters (Image: Getty)

“I have to work on my Chinese. I have regressed, I must say. Five years, it’s been way too long, I have to practice.”

He tried again, saying: “Oh, yeah, another one, okay. Well, I’ll put another sentence, trying to rectify my mistakes from the last one.” He then added in Chinese: “I wish you peace.”

In English again, he said: “Okay? We got it.” Speaking of his love of playing in China, Djokovic continued: “A lot of great support from the fans here in China.

“They are probably the most unique, the most passionate fans and, you know, always so dedicated, daily waiting for you, giving you presents and really feeding you with a lot of love and energy. So that’s something that I was very excited to experience once again. Yeah, I’m just enjoying my time so far in China.”

The 37-year-old also hailed Chinese culture and quinine, adding with a laugh: “The secret of me doing well in Asian Swing [the series of tournaments in the Far East] and in China? I think I love dumplings and Chinese language, I think that helps.”

After being given a first-round bye, the Olympic champion will face Alex Michelsen on Saturday. Carlos Alcaraz and world number one Jannik Sinner will be in second round action on the same day.

Sinner is competing under a cloud after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) launched an appeal against a ruling of “no fault or negligence” for two positive drugs tests he returned earlier this year. The US Open champion twice tested positive for an anabolic steroid in March but an independent tribunal determined he was not to blame and imposed no punishment.

The tribunal accepted Sinner’s explanation that the banned substance entered his body as a result of a massage from his physio, who had used a spray containing the steroid to treat a cut on their finger. But WADA has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, seeking to impose a ban of up to two years on the 23-year-old Italian.