Novak Djokovic returns to the China Open this week for the first time since 2015, arriving at what has been his most dominant tournament with a perfect 29-0 record and six titles from six appearances.
The 39-year-old Serbian, now ranked world No.11 after dropping out of the top 10 for the first time since 2018, faces Portugal’s Nuno Borges in the opening round.
Responding to recent fitness concerns, Djokovic said his body is responding well. “Yeah, feeling good so far. Obviously, it’s completely different when you’re playing an official match compared to practice sets. But so far so good,” he told reporters.
The former world No.1 has not competed since his shock first-round exit at the U.S. Open, where he struggled with shoulder and back problems and vomited several times during a five-set loss to world No. 45 Mariano Navone. It was his first opening-round Grand Slam defeat since the 2006 Australian Open.
Djokovic has not won a match since his Wimbledon semi-final loss to Janik Sinner and remains without an ATP title this season. He is also at risk of missing the ATP finals, having slipped to 15th in the Race to Turin standings.
“I was looking forward to coming to China, as I always have. My record speaks for itself on Chinese soil. Knowing that also brings this dimension of confidence that I really need,” he added.
2026-09-30 18:35:00
