Djokovic China Open Win

Djokovic China Open victory gave Novak Djokovic his seventh title in Beijing and his 102nd tour-level trophy after Alex de Minaur retired from the final because of a groin injury. Djokovic was leading 7-6(3), 0-1 when the Australian ended the match on October 6, 2026. The win extended Djokovic’s perfect China Open record to 34 victories from 34 matches.

Djokovic Wins Seventh Beijing Title

The final was played on the hard courts of the China Open in Beijing. Djokovic and de Minaur produced a closely fought first set, with neither player able to create a decisive advantage.

The set eventually went to a tie-break. Djokovic handled the important points better and won the tie-break 7-3, taking the opening set 7-6(3).

Both players received medical attention after the first set. De Minaur returned to the court and held serve in the opening game of the second set, but he was unable to continue because of his injury. He retired with Djokovic leading 0-1 in the second set.

A 102nd Career Title

The Djokovic China Open victory was the 102nd tour-level title of his career. It moved him to within one title of Roger Federer’s 103 and seven behind Jimmy Connors’ Open Era record of 109.

The title was also Djokovic’s first ATP Tour trophy of the 2026 season. He had reached the Australian Open final earlier in the year, where he lost to Carlos Alcaraz, but had not won a tournament before arriving in Beijing.

The Beijing title therefore ended a long wait and gave Djokovic an important boost during the final part of the tennis season.

Djokovic Remains Unbeaten in Beijing

Djokovic’s record at the China Open remains perfect. He has now won all 34 of his matches at the tournament.

His seven titles have come across seven appearances, making the Beijing event one of the most successful tournaments of his career. He last competed in Beijing in 2015 and returned to the tournament in 2026 after an 11-year absence.

The Serbian had already built a strong history at the event before his latest victory. His return ended with another championship and extended his remarkable winning record in the Chinese capital.

Historic Season Streak Continues

The Djokovic China Open title also extended another major record. Djokovic has now won at least one tour-level title in 21 consecutive seasons.

The achievement adds another milestone to his long career. At 39, he also became the first man since Ken Rosewall in 1977 to win a tour-level singles title after turning 39. The China Open title made Djokovic the oldest champion of an ATP 500 event since the category was introduced.

His victory showed that Djokovic can still compete successfully at the highest level despite a difficult 2026 season and ongoing physical challenges.

Tough Route to the Final

Djokovic had a demanding route to the final in Beijing. He defeated Alexander Zverev in the quarter-finals before facing Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals.

The semi-final ended in unusual circumstances. Medvedev was disqualified after hitting a ball that struck a spectator. As a result, Djokovic advanced to the final without the match reaching a normal conclusion.

De Minaur also reached the final after an interrupted semi-final. His opponent Hubert Hurkacz retired because of injury during their match.

This meant the China Open final was the third consecutive match in which Djokovic or his opponent did not complete a normal full match. Despite the unusual circumstances, Djokovic still had to handle the pressure of the final and won the opening set before de Minaur retired.

De Minaur’s Injury Ends the Final Early

Alex de Minaur had been competing strongly in Beijing and was aiming to win his first China Open title. He entered the final ranked ninth in the world and had already produced several strong performances during the tournament.

During the final, he appeared to experience problems around his groin and upper leg. He received medical attention after the first set and returned with his left thigh heavily strapped.

After winning the first game of the second set, de Minaur decided he could not continue. He apologised to the Beijing crowd during the trophy presentation and said he had hoped to finish the match.

Djokovic’s 2026 Season

The Djokovic China Open win has changed the picture of Djokovic’s 2026 season. Before Beijing, he had gone without an ATP Tour title for most of the year.

The 39-year-old has also dealt with physical issues during the season. The China Open victory was therefore particularly important for his confidence and showed that he could still produce a high-level performance against some of the leading players.

On his way to the Beijing final, Djokovic defeated three top-10 opponents, including Zverev, Medvedev and de Minaur in the final. His run also helped him strengthen his position in the race for the ATP Finals.

Shanghai Masters Comes Next

Djokovic is now scheduled to continue his 2026 campaign at the Shanghai Masters. The ATP Masters 1000 event begins immediately after the China Open and brings together many of the leading players on the tour.

The Shanghai tournament gives Djokovic another opportunity to collect ranking points and build on his Beijing success. His China Open victory has added momentum at a time when the 2026 season is moving towards its final tournaments.

The Djokovic China Open triumph also keeps the race for the most tour-level titles in focus. With 102 trophies, Djokovic is now one title away from Federer’s 103 and remains within reach of Connors’ Open Era record of 109. His latest Beijing success has added another major milestone to an already record-filled career.