Djokovic to return to China Open after 11-year absence

BEIJING – Novak Djokovic will return to the China Open after an 11-year absence, the 24-time Grand Slam champion announced on Sept 16, as he looks to rebuild momentum after slipping to world No.12 and suffering a shock first-round exit at the US Open.

The 39-year-old Serb is returning to the ATP 500 event in Beijing, where he boasts a perfect record and a tournament-best six titles.

Djokovic’s most recent China Open triumph came in 2015, the last year he competed at the tournament.

The decision follows his first-round loss at the US Open to unseeded Argentine Mariano Navone in five sets.

Djokovic, a four-time champion in New York, vomited midway through the match and was hampered by back and shoulder issues that affected his serve late on.

The defeat marked the first time he had lost in the opening round of a Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open.

“I am excited to come back and perform in front of all of you at the National Tennis Centre – one of the nicest venues we have in tennis,” the former world No. 1 said on social media.

The men’s draw at the China Open runs from Sept 30 to Oct 6.

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner won the men’s title in 2025. REUTERS