Shanghai Draw is out and Djokovic is IN

The draw for the penultimate Masters 1000 event of 2026 has been released and a familiar face is in the top half of the draw: Novak Djokovic.

The Serbian wasn’t willing to commit earlier this week when asked about it, but he’s now taken his place in the draw. Djokovic, who will contest the Bejing final tonight, will face either Hubert Hurkacz or James Duckworth after a first-round bye in the 96-player draw.

The event runs from October 7 to 18.

The 2026 #RolexShanghaiMasters draw is here 👀 pic.twitter.com/3V5ZhHR3Qb

— Rolex Shanghai Masters (@SH_RolexMasters) October 5, 2026

Djokovic, a four-time Shanghai champion, last raised the trophy in 2018.

No.2-seeded Carlos Alcaraz is back for a third appearance in Shanghai, bidding for his first title in China’s magic city. He will face Juan Manual Cerundolo or a qualifier in his first match.

Jannik Sinner, out since Wimbledon with a knee injury, withdrew from the event recently.

Jannik Sinner Withdraws From Shanghai

Last year’s title was won by Valentin Vacherot, who became the lowest-ranked Masters 1000 champion ever when he won the title with a ranking of No.204. The No.17-seeded Monegasque will face Sebastian Baez or Marcos Giron in the second round after a bye.

Projected Matchups if Seeds Hold

Projected Round of 16 Matchups Top Half
(1) Alexander Zverev vs (16) Brandon Nakashima
(9) Alex de Minaur vs (6) Flavio Cobolli
(3) Ben Shelton vs (13) Jakub Mensik
(10) Novak Djokovic vs (7) Frances Tiafoe

Projected Round of 16 Matchups Bottom Half
(8) Arthur Fils vs (12) Rafael Jodar
(14) Learner Tien vs (4) Felix Auger-Aliassime
(5) Daniil Medvedev vs (11) Taylor Fritz
(15) Tommy Paul vs (2) Carlos Alcaraz

SEE THE FULL DRAW HERE

Projected Quarterfinals, Shanghai Masters
(1) Alexander Zverev vs (6) Flavio Cobolli
(3) Ben Shelton vs (7) Frances Tiafoe
(8) Arthur Fils vs (4) Felix Auger-Aliassime
(5) Daniil Medvedev vs (2) Carlos Alcaraz