WATCH: Novak Djokovic vomits mid-match in brutal conditions at Shanghai Masters

Novak Djokovic is one of the fittest athletes to have ever graced sport, but even he found the conditions in his last 2025 Shanghai Masters match challenging to manage.

The former ATP world No. 1's round of 32 battle against Yannick Hanfmann was lengthy. He got pushed hard by the German, but ultimately prevailed 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 after showing his trademark grit and determination.

Conditions in Shanghai make life even tougher for the players. Temperatures have reached the mid-thirties (Celsius), and several men have been visibly exhausted or retired from their matches before completion.

Jannik Sinner was among those who could not complete the contest. This year's Australian Open and Wimbledon winner began cramping in the third set against Tallon Griekspoor, handing the Dutchman victory.

Djokovic's body held up better than the Italian's. At 38, his ability to continue defying the odds and play intense matches is incredible. Fans should savor watching the tennis legend for as long as that continues.

However, the conditions still impacted Djokovic. The video below shows him vomiting at the back fence between points before getting ready to return. Although he did it swiftly, the act, perfectly demonstrating the brutal heat, was clearly seen.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion repeated it soon after, vomiting close to where his bag and chair for sit-downs were. He was evidently uncomfortable, and some might have considered withdrawing in that state.

Instead, Djokovic fought on and found a way through the match. It made a mockery of those who claim the Olympic Gold Medalist retires quickly when struggling physically, something still repeated by some despite his storied career.

Conditions are not expected to get easier when Djokovic plays his next match on Tuesday against Jaume Munar. Hopefully, he recovers well and can match the Spaniard's intensity throughout their encounter.

Djokovic's last 1000-level title was the 2023 Paris Masters, where he beat Grigor Dimitrov in the final. His lack of success at those events since is partially due to playing a reduced schedule and focusing on Grand Slams.

However, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz's dominance of the ATP Tour has also made winning the most significant titles very challenging. They have been several levels above the rest since the start of 2024.

That is why Djokovic's chances of winning the Shanghai Masters increased exponentially in the last few days. Alcaraz withdrew from the event with an injury before Sinner's retirement against Griekspoor.

Djokovic can still mathematically overtake Alexander Zverev at No. 3 before 2025 ends. That would depend on how far he goes in Shanghai and whether he plays at the 2025 ATP Finals. The seven-time Wimbledon champion skipped last year's iteration of the year-end championships.

Although finishing No. 3 at his age after playing a lighter schedule than other top players would be an outstanding achievement, Djokovic has admitted that the rankings no longer concern him, and he is focused on playing well at each tournament.