“I don't remember ever so wet in China.”

Novak Djokovic qualified in the third round at the Masters 1,000 tournament in Shanghai, after passing Marin Cilic with 7-6 (4), 6-4.

The Serb won four times in Shanghai and returned to China this year. “It is always a pleasure to play in the face of such passionate fans. People have offered me their love and affection for many years, so I try to reward them with good tennis and some basic knowledge of Chinese, with a few phrases.

It was incredible to see how the stand was full today. I know there are national holidays, but to be the first match, it is incredible. This is one of the most beautiful arenas in the circuit and I really like it. I suffered on the field because it was a high intensity match, and Marin was an incredible opponent. I am happy to have passed the first obstacle ”, a Novak said.

I thought about Marin's combined age and mine: 75 years. It's a lot. I hope we can play more matches and can beat more records. I think today I played as if we were 15 years younger, which is wonderful. We continue to go beyond our limits, even in front of younger players. After all, the age doesn't matter when you enter the field, you have to find a way to win, this is the goal – Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic: “You have to accept and deal with it”

The winner of 24 Grand Slam trophies asked for several towels, cools his hands, hardly tolerate the conditions.

“Honestly, the humidity here is crazy. I don't remember ever so wet in China. I don't remember when I last played in a humidity like this. That's the situation, it's the same for me, for my opponent and anyone else. You have to accept and deal with it.

Last week, in Shanghai, the World Rowing Championships took place, and the Romanian athletes then told how hard it was to compete. Florin Lehaci, silver medal in the two frames, arrived at the hospital after the race.