“A part of me left with them”, reacts Novak Djokovic after the retirement of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray

He continues to write history, by qualifying, Friday October 11, for a 78th semi-final in Masters 1000 in Shanghai, but Novak Djokovic said “upset” by the announcement of the retirement of Rafael Nadal, who succeeds those of Roger Federer and Andy Murray. The Serbian will soon be the last active member of the “Big Four”, which has virtually monopolized world titles and first places since the turn of the century. He will have the opportunity, if he reaches the final, to win his 100th career title, Sunday October 13, in Shanghai.

For the former world number 1, now fourth in the ATP rankings, the hunger for records remains intact, despite the retirements of his rivals. He declared having “always want to play”, mais “a part of me left with them”he added after beating the Czech Jakub Mensik in the quarter-finals in Shanghai 6-7 (4-7), 6-1, 6-4.

He again praised the career of Rafael Nadal, the “biggest rival I ever had”. The two men have faced each other 60 times, with a slight advantage for Novak Djokovic (31 wins against 29).

“The era of the Four Musketeers, so to speak, the four of us and all the rivalries we had, it was incredible”he notes. He announced on Thursday on his social networks that he would be present in person in Malaga to attend Rafael Nadal’s farewell during the Davis Cup finals in November in Malaga (Spain).