Novak Djokovic arrived in Shanghai to compete in the Chinese Masters 1000, a prestigious tennis tournament, and was asked about Jannik Sinner, the world number one, who has been unable to play since suffering a right knee injury. Sinner’s absence has been notable, as he had previously missed a significant portion of the 2026 season due to a right wrist injury. This time, the Italian player has not been able to return to competition since his Wimbledon victory in July of last year. Djokovic, who recently won the Beijing tournament, was questioned about Sinner’s situation during a press conference ahead of his match against Polish player Hubert Hurkacz at the Shanghai Masters 1000. During the press conference, Djokovic admitted he had not heard detailed information about Sinner’s injury. "I haven't heard from Jannik since he got injured," he said. "I will contact him to check on him. I don't really know what it is about." Djokovic emphasized that he understood the challenges of serious injuries from personal experience, having suffered an elbow injury in 2017 that kept him out of play for several months. He noted that a knee injury could significantly impact a player’s movements and overall performance. Djokovic also offered words of encouragement to Sinner, acknowledging the importance of long-term planning in a demanding sport like tennis. "I'm sure with his team, he is making the right choices," Djokovic said. "Jannik has been the best player in the world and a dominant force these past two years, alongside Carlos [Alcaraz]. Tennis certainly feels his absence." He added that taking time to recover and ensure a longer career is a wise decision, allowing players to pursue their goals over multiple seasons. As the current world number 11, Djokovic emphasized the value of patience and careful decision-making in managing a tennis career. His comments reflect both empathy for Sinner's situation and a recognition of the physical and mental challenges faced by top athletes in the sport.