Resignations from the “Big Four” overwhelming – Djokovic

Novak Djokovic is aiming for his 100th ATP title this weekend but says the impending prospect of becoming the last active player in men's tennis' Big Four is “overwhelming”.

For many years, Djokovic had intense and rewarding rivalries with Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal, who joined him in the famous quartet.

Djokovic defeated Czech teenager Jakub Mensik 6:7 (4:7), 6:1 and 6:4 on Friday to reach the semifinals of the Shanghai Masters.

The win came a day after Nadal announced he would retire in November.

Federer retired in 2022, while Murray ended his own career in August.

“(Nadal) was my biggest rival. The rivalry I had with him has by far shaped me the most in my career,” said Djokovic after his win against Mensik.

“We knew this moment would come sooner than later, but it's still a shock, you know.”

“Roger a few years ago when he announced his retirement and Andy this year too. I mean, honestly it’s a little overwhelming for me.”

“I don't know what to make of it. I still enjoy competing. But a part of me stayed with them, a big part of me.”

Serbia's Djokovic has won 24 Grand Slam titles – a men's record – and won the long-awaited Olympic gold earlier this year.

The 37-year-old will face American world number seven Taylor Fritz in Saturday's semi-final in a bid for a groundbreaking 100th title.

The 26-year-old Fritz easily beat the Belgian David Goffin 6:3 and 6:4 on Friday and thus secured his place in the last four. This extended a run in which Fritz made it past the third round for the first time in Shanghai.

Djokovic, who will now compete in the Masters 1,000 semifinals for the 78th time, said the matches against the next generation motivated him.

“It keeps me going and pushes me to really dig deep and show the world that I still have what it takes, that I can still go the distance with the young guys,” he said.

“I’m super happy that I managed to win this very challenging game.”

The 19-year-old Mensik kept his nerve in the opening set against Djokovic.

But Djokovic, the tournament's record four-time winner, regrouped after a poor performance in the tie-breaker and cruised through the second set with ease before ending the match after two hours and 21 minutes.

Although US Open runner-up Fritz could pose a tough test for Djokovic, the decorated veteran holds a career record of 9-0 from his past encounters.

Fritz broke in the second and sixth games to take the first set against the 66th-ranked Goffin.

Goffin seemed stronger as the match went on, but he couldn't quite find the form that had given him the win over second-seeded Alexander Zverev in the previous round.

“I’m really happy with the way I’m playing,” Fritz said.

“(Goffin) is such an incredible returner, I had to stay extremely focused, even more focused than usual on my serves.”

In the first singles semi-final on Saturday, the Italian world number one Jannik Sinner and the Czech player Tomas Machac, who defeated Carlos Alcaraz on Thursday, will compete.