Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz praised tennis fans in China ahead of their opening matches at the 2026 Rolex Shanghai Masters.

"I enjoy playing in China. I've said it many times, the fans, the support has been tremendous," said 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic at a news conference on Oct 8.

Just two days earlier, the Serbian tennis star won a record-extending seventh China Open title in Beijing after Alex de Minaur retired due to injury during the final. Djokovic praised the support and affection he received from fans both inside and outside the stadium in Beijing.

After arriving in Shanghai, the four-time Rolex Shanghai Masters champion expressed his appreciation for the tournament.

"Great stadiums. Great attendance. It has always been one of the best 1000 events on the tour. Our tour has always been proud of this tournament and this product that has been created here over the years," he said.

Djokovic said organizers improve the tournament each year to meet the needs of players and their teams.

He also expressed his hope that more children in China would take an interest in tennis.

"For me particularly, I love seeing as many children as possible on the stands, because at the end of the day, they should be the future of this sport. So we want as many kids in China enrolled in tennis, engaged in tennis, interested in tennis," he said.

Returning to Shanghai after a two-year absence, seven-time Grand Slam winner Carlos Alcaraz received a warm welcome from fans during a practice session on Oct 8 and said he was delighted to see them again.

"The fans are super passionate about, I would say, any sports, which I think is great for the community. I just love every time that I come here, because I think they appreciate good tennis," he said.

Alcaraz's 2026 season has been disrupted by injury. The 23-year-old Spaniard suffered a right wrist injury in April that sidelined him for about five months, forcing him to miss the French Open, Wimbledon, and other tournaments.

However, he defended his Japan Open title in Tokyo and is now ready to compete in Shanghai.

"I'm feeling fresh mentally, which for me is the most important thing. I'm ready to take on the challenge of this tournament. If we see a couple years back, probably this swing or this part of the season, it's never been my best one. So, right now I just want to be in a good state for this tournament," he said, adding that he hoped to win in Shanghai and at other tournaments later in the season.