Novak Djokovic has continued his remarkable dominance in Beijing, winning his seventh China Open title after returning to the tournament for the first time in 11 years.
The 39-year-old Serbian defeated Australia’s Alex de Minaur 7-6(3), 0-1 in the final on Tuesday, October 6, before de Minaur retired because of an adductor injury. The victory extended Djokovic’s perfect China Open record to 34 wins from 34 matches.
The title was Djokovic’s 102nd ATP singles trophy and his first of the 2026 season. It also extended his record of winning at least one tour-level singles title in 21 consecutive seasons.
De Minaur Forced to Retire
The final was closely contested during the opening set.
Djokovic and de Minaur exchanged holds before the Serbian prevailed in a tense tiebreak, winning it 7-3 to take the first set after 67 minutes.
Both players received medical attention during the break. De Minaur returned with his left thigh heavily bandaged and managed to hold serve in the opening game of the second set.
However, the Australian was unable to continue and retired with Djokovic leading 7-6(3), 0-1.
De Minaur later said he had felt something in his adductor toward the end of the first set and planned to undergo scans in Shanghai to determine the extent of the injury.
Seven Appearances, Seven Titles
Djokovic's record in Beijing is extraordinary.
He first won the China Open in 2009 and went on to claim titles in 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
After his 2015 triumph, Djokovic did not return to the tournament until 2026.
His comeback produced another championship, meaning he has now won the title on every occasion he has played the event.
The China Open's official website described the achievement simply as seven appearances, seven titles.
The tournament has effectively become one of the most successful stops of Djokovic's career, with his popularity among Chinese fans adding another dimension to his performances in Beijing.
Djokovic Called Beijing a “Home” of Sorts
The Serbian has previously spoken warmly about his relationship with Chinese fans, and his latest victory reinforced that connection.
Following the final, Djokovic said the atmosphere in Beijing has contributed to his success and described the support from the crowd as a major part of his performances at the tournament.
The 14,000-seat Diamond Court repeatedly backed Djokovic during his run, particularly during difficult moments against local favourite Bu Yunchaokete and world No. 2 Alexander Zverev.
His return was particularly significant given the challenges he had experienced earlier in 2026.
A Difficult Season Turns Around
Djokovic entered the China Open after a difficult period.
He suffered a shock first-round defeat at the US Open to Argentina's Mariano Navone, his earliest Grand Slam exit since the 2006 Australian Open. He had also dealt with physical problems during the match.
At the China Open, Djokovic revealed that he had been dealing with undisclosed health issues throughout the season and described 2026 as a “big, big struggle.”
He required medical attention during his opening-round match against Nuno Borges and again during his victory over Bu Yunchaokete.
Despite those difficulties, Djokovic produced some of his best tennis of the tournament during the later stages.
Djokovic Beat Zverev on the Way to the Final
The Serbian's route to the championship included a major test against Alexander Zverev.
Djokovic recovered from losing the opening set to defeat the German 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the quarterfinals.
He then reached the final after Daniil Medvedev was disqualified during their semifinal with Djokovic leading 7-5, 5-3. Medvedev hit a ball into the crowd in frustration, appearing to strike a spectator.
That unusual semifinal gave Djokovic an opportunity to conserve energy ahead of the final, although the match against de Minaur ultimately ended prematurely.
Another Milestone at 39
The China Open triumph adds another milestone to Djokovic's already extensive record.
At 39, he became the first player in the Open Era to win at least one tour-level singles title in 21 consecutive seasons. He also became the first man since Ken Rosewall in 1977 to win a tour-level title after turning 39.
His 102nd ATP title places him just one behind Roger Federer's 103 and seven behind Jimmy Connors' all-time record of 109.
Djokovic also remains the men's player with the most Grand Slam singles titles, having won 24.
Shanghai Comes Next
Djokovic will now turn his attention to the Shanghai Masters, which begins immediately after the Beijing tournament.
The China Open victory gives the Serbian renewed momentum heading into the final stretch of the season, particularly after the physical difficulties and inconsistent results he experienced earlier in the year.
His Beijing run also showed that, despite the challenges of playing at 39, Djokovic remains capable of defeating top-ranked opponents and producing championship-level tennis.
For the Chinese fans who welcomed him back after 11 years, the result was the perfect continuation of a remarkable Beijing story: Djokovic returned to the China Open and left with the trophy once again.
