Djokovic Returns to China Open After 11 Years, Targets 102nd Title

Novak Djokovic is competing at the China Open in Beijing for the first time since 2015, marking an 11-year absence from the ATP 500 tournament where he has dominated with a 29–0 record and six titles. The 39-year-old Serbian, currently ranked world No. 11–12, returns following a shock first-round defeat to Mariano Navone at the US Open in late August, where he struggled with physical issues and vomited multiple times during the match. This marked Djokovic's first opening-round loss at a Grand Slam since 2006.

Djokovic has stated he is "feeling good" ahead of his match against Portugal's Nuno Borges in the first round, emphasizing that his body has recovered well during the four-week break from competition. In pre-tournament remarks, he clarified his motivation for competing in a second-tier event at this stage of his career: "I'm playing a professional tournament because I also want to win. That's actually the primary motivation, is always trying to compete and win." He expressed particular enthusiasm for Beijing, citing both his historical success there and the support from Chinese fans, whom he calls his "NoleFam," as reasons for prioritizing the event this year despite typically focusing on Grand Slam tournaments.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion is seeking his first ATP title of 2026, having reached only one final this year—the Australian Open, where he lost to Carlos Alcaraz in pursuit of a record 25th major. Djokovic's sole best result this season was that Australian Open final in January. His pursuit of that 25th Grand Slam remains a stated priority, though he is also chasing his 102nd career ATP title overall. The China Open win would be strategically significant: Djokovic has won the Shanghai Masters four times and dominated Beijing across six championships from 2009 to 2015, making the region a proven strength.

Djokovic's return to China comes as he attempts to recover from a challenging 2026 season in which he has suffered seven defeats and fallen out of the ATP Tour's top 10 for the first time in eight years following the US Open loss. He is also at risk of missing the ATP Finals, currently sitting outside the top-eight qualifying spots in the Race to Turin standings. The China Open, held at the Beijing National Tennis Center (a facility originally built for the 2008 Olympics), represents one of only eight tournaments Djokovic has entered in 2026.

Historically, Djokovic's record at the China Open is nearly unmatched in professional tennis: his 29 consecutive wins and six titles at the event place him among the most dominant players ever at a single tournament venue. He holds the record for most weeks as world No. 1 (428 weeks) and also won Olympic gold in Paris 2024. His selection to return to Beijing, despite being selective about his schedule late in his career, underscores both his confidence in the venue and his gratitude toward Chinese fans.