Novak Djokovic admits he has taken steps backwards and says what he needs to work on | Tennis | sport

Novak Djokovic has admitted that at the end of his illustrious career he still has something to work on: his Chinese language skills. The 24-time Grand Slam winner is traveling to the Shanghai Masters in the Far East.

The Serbian star has prepared for 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. During a press conference, he said in Chinese about his enduring love for tennis and his desire to remain loyal to the sport beyond retirement: “My love for tennis is as deep as ever.”

Back in English, he added: “Something like that. I guess I see a lot of raised eyebrows from the Chinese, so I probably missed a few words there.

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

He tried again and said, “Oh yeah, one more, okay. Well, I will write another sentence and try to correct my mistakes from the last one.” Then he added in Chinese: “I wish you peace.”

Again in English he said, “Okay? We got it.” On 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, passionate fans and, as you know, always so dedicated, waiting for you daily, giving you gifts and really feeding you a lot of love and energy. So that’s something I was really excited to relive. Yes, I’m just enjoying my time in China so far.”

The 37-year-old also praised Chinese culture and quinine, adding with a laugh: “The secret to me doing well in the Asian Swing (the tournament series in the Far East) and China? I think I love dumplings and the Chinese language, I think that helps.”

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

Sinner is competing under cover after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed a verdict of “no fault or negligence” over two positive doping tests he returned earlier this year. The US Open champion tested positive for an anabolic steroid twice in March, but an independent court ruled he was not at fault and imposed no penalty.

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