Djokovic Confirms China Open Return After 11 Years

Novak Djokovic has confirmed his return to the China Open, marking his first appearance at the tournament in 11 years. The 24-time Grand Slam champion announced his participation on social media, expressing excitement about competing in Beijing again. The tournament is scheduled to begin on September 30, 2026. Djokovic's last appearance at the China Open was in 2015, when he won the title. He holds a perfect 100% win record at the event, having won it six times between 2009 and 2015. His victories include finals against Rafael Nadal, Marin Cilic, and Tomas Berdych. The announcement follows a disappointing performance at the 2026 US Open, where Djokovic suffered a first-round loss to Mariano Navone. The defeat caused him to drop out of the ATP top 10 rankings for the first time since 2018, falling to 12th. His fitness has been a recurring concern throughout the 2026 season, which has seen mixed results including a final at the Australian Open and a semifinal at Wimbledon. The China Open field includes top players such as Jannik Sinner, the 2025 champion, and Alexander Zverev.