Tennis legend Novak Djokovic faced another major setback in his 2025 season as he was forced to halt his semifinal match at the Shanghai Open due to a sudden back injury. The 24-time Grand Slam winner, known for his endurance and determination, appeared in visible discomfort before pausing play at 3-4 in the opening set against Valentin Vacherot, who eventually won 6-3, 6-4.
The Serbian star requested a medical timeout after clutching his lower back during a rally, receiving quick on-court treatment before deciding to continue. However, his movement appeared restricted, and his trademark defensive play was noticeably affected. Despite pushing through the pain, Djokovic’s injury became too severe to overcome, marking yet another difficult moment in his turbulent 2025 campaign.
This latest injury comes after a series of health setbacks that have hampered Djokovic’s performance throughout the season. Earlier in the tournament, he struggled with Shanghai’s intense humidity, even vomiting during a match against Yannick Hanfmann, admitting later that the conditions were “brutal.” The BBC also reported that Djokovic collapsed during his match with Jaume Munar, needing assistance from medical staff due to exhaustion.
Djokovic’s year has been marred by multiple physical issues — a muscle tear at the Australian Open, a hamstring strain at Wimbledon, and neck and forearm problems at the US Open. Additionally, an eye infection forced him to miss both the Miami Open and Monte-Carlo Masters earlier this year.
Despite these challenges, Djokovic has consistently returned to the court, demonstrating resilience and a fierce competitive spirit. Yet, the severity of this latest back injury raises concerns about his long-term fitness and whether he will continue to compete in the remaining tournaments of the year.
Fans around the world now await official updates from Djokovic’s team regarding his recovery timeline, as questions grow about whether his body can withstand the demanding schedule of professional tennis.