Incomparable: Djokovic wins seventh China Open title

Novak Djokovic squatted down, lowering himself until his knees were level with his newest enormous China Open trophy.

A few minutes had passed since history had been made, but the Diamond Court had hardly quieted. The roar kept rolling through the stadium. Djokovic flashed his biggest smile and lifted both hands. Photographers and cameras clicked furiously around him, capturing the moment as he held up his fingers for all to see.

Five on his right. Two on his left.

Seven.

Seven appearances at the China Open. Seven titles.

Still perfect.

Djokovic was leading 7-6 (3), 0-1 when Alex de Minaur was forced to retire with an adductor injury in the China Open final, giving Djokovic his 102nd career ATP singles title.

It was the 39-year-old Djokovic’s first appearance at the China Open since 2015, but he picked up right where he left off 11 years ago and extend his unbeaten record to 34-0 at the event, the greatest unbeaten start to an event in the Open Era.

“Beijing was always my happy place. It continues to be,” Djokovic said. “I always have high expectations for myself. The goals and desires are always high, particularly in a place where I never lost before.” 

The first set was a one hour, seven-minute thriller. Both players faced at least one break point, but their abilities to keep swinging under pressure and dictate points powered them through tough moments.

“Let’s go Novak” and “Idemo Nole” cheers filled the packed Diamond Court crowd as fans passionately cheered for their favorite, fueling him when it mattered most, creating the kind of electric atmosphere that made his return to Beijing feel like a homecoming. 

The hard-fought first set eventually went to a tiebreaker, where Djokovic capitalized on an unforced error from De Minaur to establish an early lead. The Serbian kept the upper hand, overcoming strong serving from the 27-year-old to secure the tiebreaker 7-3 and seal the set. 

De Minaur took a medical timeout after the set and returned to the court with tape around his left thigh. The Australian held the first game, yet at changeover, he declared that he could not continue and shook Djokovic’s hand, officially ending the match and marking Djokovic’s seventh China Open title. 

De Minaur became the 30th different player to fall to the 24-time Grand Slam champion in Beijing, joining a list that stretches back to 2009 and includes some of the biggest names in tennis.

Now holding 102 ATP career singles titles, Djokovic is just one shy of Roger Federer’s 103 and seven behind Jimmy Connors’ record of 109. With China Open as his first title of the season, the incomparable Serb extended his Open Era record of 21 consecutive seasons with at least one ATP title. 

He is the first man to win a tour-level title after turning 39 years of age since Ken Rosewall, who was 43 when he won 1977 Hong Kong.

Djokovic’s path to the title wasn’t as easy this time.

In his most recent China Open title run in 2015, Djokovic conceded just 18 games across five matches. This year, he conceded 52 in five matches, including two three-set battles. In his first match in Beijing in 11 years, Djokovic beat Nuno Borges 6-3, 7-6 (2) in the first round. He followed with back-to-back comeback wins, beating Bu Yunchaokete 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-2 and World No. 2 Alexander Zverev 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 to reach the semifinals. He was leading Daniil Medvedev 7-5, 5-3 in the semifinal when Medvedev was disqualified.

It is the first time Djokovic has defeated three Top 10 players since winning the title at the ATP Finals in 2023.

De Minaur was pleased with his tournament run to the finals, even though his title bid came up short.

“Everything except for the end was really positive,” he said. “There was a lot of good tennis. I played some great stuff. Felt amazing on the court. Yeah, a lot of confidence from this.”

For Djokovic, China is more than just a place. It’s a home away from home. Every time he steps on court, he carries his champion mentality and wants to give his best for his people. 

“It's just the best crowd support I have anywhere outside of Serbia, that’s for sure, is here in China,” Djokovic said. “I try to always remind myself how special that is, how privileged I am.

"Yeah, that also explains why I play well in China, why I feel good, because people make me feel like I’m Chinese, like I’m playing at home."

By Maya Sabapathy