Tennis icon Novak Djokovic made a surprise appearance on Thursday at the ASICS Shanghai flagship store during the Shanghai Masters, which is scheduled between Sept 30 and Oct 13, marking his return to Chinese courts after a five-year absence.

Djokovic took the opportunity to encourage junior players in China to pursue their dreams while emphasizing the importance of balance in their training.

“It's important to balance tennis training and fitness, both on and off the court,” Djokovic said. "No rush, take your time."

As the world's top-ranked tennis player and winner of 24 Grand Slam titles, Djokovic recently achieved a Golden Slam with his Olympic victory in Paris.

His advice to junior players focused on feeding their passion for tennis, the value of professional guidance, and the need to balance both career and school to build a sustainable future.

"Always keep your mind open and be curious to discover new things. Find out what you need to implement in your life and career to be the best version of yourself," he added.

The 2024 ASICS Junior Tennis Tour recently concluded in Shanghai. Wang Yanke, the 11-year-old winner of the U10 group in last summer's ASICS Junior Tennis Tour, was thrilled to meet her idol Djokovic. "Tennis brings relaxation and joy to my life. I hope to compete on international stages in the future," Wang said.

Dr Tsuyoshi Nishiwaki, chairman of ASICS China, senior managing director of ASICS Greater China, presented Djokovic with customized ceramic sneakers.

Based on Djokovic's "COURT FF 3 NOVAK" collaboration shoe, the sneakers featured the "24+1" logo to celebrate his 24 Grand Slam titles and 1 Olympic championship.

ASICS has remained committed to fostering the growth of tennis in China.

Since 2022, the ASICS Junior Tennis Tour has provided young players with a platform backed by top-tier global resources. This year, the event was upgraded to a B-class tournament within the China Tennis Junior Tennis.

With support from top athletes like Djokovic and a focus on nurturing young talent, ASICS is driving the growth of tennis and sports development in China.

ASICS China said that the country's tennis market remains in a rapid growth phase, fueled by major events, rising young athletes and economic progress.

The brand plans to continue inspiring young players, encouraging greater participation in the sport and helping more Chinese athletes shine on the international stage.