Overview

• Speaking to Corriere della Sera, Novak Djokovic said a personal friendship with Rafael Nadal is impossible, stressing longstanding respect between the rivals.
• Djokovic added that he and Nadal have never been friends nor enemies and credited Nadal and Roger Federer with shaping his career.
• He recalled that the pair shared two dinners early on, highlighting how competition ultimately kept personal ties at a distance.
• The world No 5 lost the Shanghai Masters semi-final 6-3, 6-4 to qualifier Valentin Vacherot after receiving on-court treatment for a back issue.
• Vacherot told Sky Sports he was stunned by the victory and kept his celebrations subdued, while Djokovic remains a 24-time Grand Slam champion still active at the top level.