Novak Djokovic has apologised to his fans after touching down in China and missing their adoring welcome, as he was escorted out privately.

Novak Djokovic has apologised to his Chinese fans for his absence (Image: Getty)

Novak Djokovic has apologised to his Chinese supporters for failing to meet them at the airport after arriving in China to compete in the Shanghai Masters. The Serbian athlete has arrived in the country for the first time since 2019, as he bids to win his fifth title on Chinese soil.

Djokovic was stopped by fans on the streets of Shanghai and explained that he was escorted out of the airport through a different exit. As per Sportal.rs, the tennis player said: “I am in China after five years and I miss you. I’m so sorry, really sorry that we didn’t meet at the airport yesterday.

“I was sad when I found out, I didn’t know you were there. They took me to another exit. I hope to see many of you in Beijing or Shanghai soon. I’m excited to be in China, mostly because of you who have been following me for years. I love you, I love you all.”

Djokovic will be looking to get back to winning ways after a surprise exit in the third round of the US Open by Alexei Popyrin back in August. Despite this setback, he will be aiming to return to the top and claim his fifth title in China – and his first since 2018.

He has some time to prepare, however, as he is set to face the winner of Alex Michelsen or Yunchaokete Bu in his first match of the competition after receiving a bye into round two.

Should he win, the Serbian faces a potentially tough match against Andrey Rublev in the quarter-finals, and then No.2 seed Alexander Zverev in the final four. Djokovic’s record is successful in China, winning the trophy in 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2018.

Djokovic will be looking to get back to winning ways (Image: Getty)

Aside from aiming to lift a fifth trophy in Shanghai, the Serbian is also hoping to claim a milestone 100th career title – edging him closer to matching Roger Federer’s haul of 103 in his career.

In 2024, the Serbian made it to the final of Wimbledon, the semi-final of the Australian Open and the quarter-finals at the French Open – before winning his first-ever Olympic gold medal at the Paris Games against Carlos Alcaraz.

Despite not winning a Grand Slam title in 2024 – marking the first calendar year without a big title since 2017 for the elite athlete – Djokovic will fancy his chances at a favourable venue in China.