The G.O.A.T. Makes Long-Awaited Return to Beijing

Novak Djokovic always was going to come back to Beijing. It wasn’t a matter of if, but when.

“I’m glad that it has happened this year,” Djokovic said in his pre-tournament media conference on Monday. “There’s a lot of love — a lot of support from Chinese tennis fans. I always look forward to that.” 

Djokovic, 39, who boasts a 29-0 lifetime mark and a record six titles at China Open, returns after an 11-year absence. He has won 58 of 61 sets at the tournament including the last 27 consecutively.

Generally referred to as the Greatest Of All Time, the 24-time Grand Slam champion rarely focuses on tournaments outside the majors, but he’s had the China Open circled on his calendar for a while.

“If you can compete in a place where you feel well in terms of conditions, in terms of the crowd support in terms of the atmosphere, then of course it all adds up to an even better performance,” Djokovic said. “It brings this dimension of confidence that I really need.”

Djokovic’s first-round match against Nuno Borges will be his first match since a stunning first-round loss at September’s U.S. Open.

“I can’t satisfy myself with opening rounds of a tournament and be happy with that,” he said. “I’m always aiming for the last stages of a tournament; any tournament I play in.”

The China Open presents itself as a golden opportunity for the Serbian to bounce back from his uncharacteristic loss at Flushing Meadows, New York.

Djokovic, who has only finished a season ranked below seventh in the season-ending rankings just once in the last 20 years; currently he sits 12th in the ATP rankings.

“At this stage of my career, it’s really about the tournaments where I enjoy to play, where I had success in the past,” Djokovic said. “My NoleFam here in China has been incredible, both Beijing and Shanghai, over the years. They definitely are the highlight and something I always take away anywhere in the world.”

The surprising U.S. Open upset gave Djokovic a longer break than anticipated before this year’s China Open, helping him enter the tournament healthy.

“Overall, it’s been really good so far with the body, the way I’m feeling and playing,” Djokovic said. “Obviously, it’s completely different when you’re playing an official match comparing to the practice sets or practice sessions.”

Djokovic beat Borges 7-6 (1), 6-4 in their only meeting at the quarterfinals of the Athens Open in 2025. That win was part of Djokovic’s 101st career title which was also his most recent championship.

Djokovic was given a difficult draw in his return to the China Open, with top-seeded Alexander Zverev — fresh off a U.S. Open title — in his quarter of the bracket.

“The challenges are always there,” Djokovic said. “They’re also opportunities to grow, to learn something new from that experience, and to try to have takeaways that you can use for improvement. I try to have that kind of mentality, nurture that kind of mentality.”

While returning to a tournament with such a storied personal history can evoke reflection on the past, the G.O.A.T remains focused on adding another trophy to the mantle.

“I always had great memories, very positive feelings on the court (at the China Open),” he recalled. “Hopefully, that can repeat itself and I can have a great tournament.”

By Ellis von Fintel, Jackson West and Liang Yanxi