Novak Djokovic has apologised to his fans in China after they missed their chance to greet him at the airport.
The tennis superstar returned to the country for the first time in five years ahead of this week’s Shanghai Masters, and supporters were keen to welcome back the four-time champion.
AFPThe Serb made an honest mistake[/caption]
Fans had gathered eagerly at the airport in the hope of meeting Djokovic, but were denied a reunion as he managed to miss them entirely, having been escorted to a different airport exit.
And after bumping into another group of supporters the following day, the Serb offered a sincere apology for the mix-up.
In footage shared on social media, he addresses them: “I am in China after five years and I missed you guys. I’m so sorry that we couldn’t meet yesterday at the airport yesterday.
“I was sad when I found out that you were there. They took me to another exit.
“I really hope that I can see a lot of you in Beijing or Shanghai when I get there.
“I was very excited to come to China, mostly because of you who have been following me for many years and giving me incredible love and support.”
Djokovic then finished off by addressing the group in Mandarin, having endeared himself to fans in 2018 when he delivered he spoke the language fluently in his tournament winner’s speech.
He then repeated in English: “I love you, I love you guys.”
The 37-year-old is looking to put recent disappointment behind him in Shanghai, following his recent third-round departure at the US Open at the hands of Alexei Popyrin.
Should Djokovic land a fifth title at the Masters 1000 event, it will see him extend his record as the player with the most titles.
Credit: Instagram: @sportalrsDjokovic was apologetic after accidentally missing out his fans’ greeting in China[/caption]
Credit: Instagram: @sportalrsThe Serbian star thanked his supporters for their support by making a heart sign with his hands[/caption]
His four tournament wins, the last of which came in 2018, place him ahead of recently-retired British hero Andy Murray, who boasts three titles, while Swiss legend Roger Federer was twice a champion.
Djokovic defeated Murray to clinch his first Shanghai title in 2012, before claiming further victories in 2013, 2015 and 2018.
And the Serbian star will have to be at his best if he is to add to his trophy cabinet, with there plenty of tennis’ biggest names also competing.
As one of the top 32 seeds, the world number four receives a first-round bye before his opening match later in the week, where he awaits the winner between Alex Michelsen and Yunchaokete Bu.
If he wins, Djokovic could then face a tough quarter-final against world number six Andrey Rublev, and potentially this year’s French Open finalist Alexander Zverev in the final four.
With top seed Jannick Sinner and reigning Wimbledon and French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz both in the other half of the draw, fans could be in for a blockbuster final should Djokovic progress.
Djokovic is back in China for the first time in five yearsGetty
The 22-time Grand Slam champion was victorious in his last clash with Alcaraz, claiming his first ever Olympic gold medal against the Spaniard in the final at the Paris Games in August.
He came off second-best in the most recent encounter with Sinner however, losing in four sets to the Italian in the semi-finals of this year’s Australian Open, which he went on to win.
With a 100th career title up for grabs in Shanghai, Djokovic will be all the more hungry to clinch glory, as he looks to close in on Jimmy Connor’s all-time record of 109.
