- A bunch of Chinese Novak Djokovic were distraught after not seeing him coming
- It turns out that the tennis star was escorted to another airport entrance
- Djokovic apologized to the fans who had been waiting for his return for five years
Novak Djokovic has apologized to fans in China after accidentally making them swerve upon arrival at the airport in Shanghai.
Supporters had waited five years for the world number four to return to China, where he has been popular since speaking fluent Mandarin during his winner’s speech at the 2018 Shanghai Masters.
Now he is back in the country for the tournament, a title he has won a record four times.
Fans had waited to greet him, but the 37-year-old was escorted to another airport exit, meaning their wait had been in vain.
However, the next day he encountered a contingent and said: according to Sporty: ‘I’m in China after five years and I miss you. I’m so, very sorry that we didn’t meet at the airport yesterday.
Novak Djokovic apologized to fans in China after accidentally ignoring some at the airport
The world number four – in China for the Shanghai Masters – had been escorted to a different exit than the one where fans who had not seen him for five years were waiting
‘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, especially thanks to you who have been following me for years. I love you. I love you all.”
Most of the top stars are in action in Shanghai, with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz also competing in the penultimate ATP 1000 Masters event of the year.
That said, Great Britain’s Jack Draper will not be competing as he withdrew after being injured in the Japan Open on Saturday.
He was treated for an abdominal problem during his quarter-final against Frenchman Ugo Humbert and eventually withdrew.
The Shanghai Masters has not been played since 2019 due to the Covid pandemic. The winner will take home £820,000.
Djokovic will face world number 49 Alex Michelsen or world number 96 Yunchaokete Bu in his first assignment.
