"Making sure no one approaches him"- Novak Djokovic jokes about "watching Alexander Zverev's back" during practice session in Shanghai Masters 2024

Novak Djokovic made sure to watch Alexander Zverev's back as they headed out for a practice session alongside an electric crowd in the Shanghai Masters. Both players will feature in the Masters 1000 event in China this week.

While the World No. 4 is making his first appearance after a third-round exit in New York, Zverev will enter on the back of a title-winning run in the Laver Cup. The German guided Team Europe towards victory with a splendid win against Frances Tiafoe in the singles event, 6-7(5), 7-5, [10-5].

Djokovic shared a video on his Instagram with the German and was also seen signing autographs for his fans courtside.

"Just a normal stroll to practice court with Alexander Zverev. P.S. Watching his back, making sure no one approaches him from behind," Djokovic said.

Here is the video:

Djokovic will be making his 10th appearance in the Shanghai Masters this year. He's a four-time champion at the event with emphatic runs in 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2018.

Apart from a gold medal finish in the Summer Olympics, Djokovic has had an average year on the main tour. He's failed to make a significant impact in any of the Majors and has chalked up some unusual results so far.

The 37-year-old was stunned by Luca Nardi in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open and then held by Alexei Popyrin in the third round of the US Open last month. The Australian outmuscled Djokovic in four sets, 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4.

Novak Djokovic needs to make a deep run in the Shanghai Masters to secure his place in the ATP Finals

Novak Djokovic in the 2019 Rolex Shanghai Masters - Day 5 - Source: Getty

Novak Djokovic is currently in ninth place in the Race to Turin behind Alex De Minaur. He is 2000 points short of the qualification mark and could miss out on the year-end championships.

The former World No. 1 is also the defending champion in Turin. He outfoxed Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals and Jannik Sinner in the finals to lift his seventh title in the ATP Finals last year.

Djokovic will begin his campaign against Alex Michelsen in the second round of the Shanghai Masters. He is one of the favorites to succeed at the event and has never lost before the quarterfinals in any of his appearances so far.

The winner between Michelsen and Djokovic will take on Flavio Cobolli or Stan Wawrinka in the third round.