Novak Djokovic Returns to China Open After Decade-Long Absence

Novak Djokovic is going back to Beijing, back to a court that once felt like his private kingdom.

The 39-year-old has confirmed he will return to the China Open, ending a decade-long absence from a tournament he dominated like few others. His last appearance came in 2015, when he swept past Rafael Nadal 6–2, 6–2 in the final to defend his title and complete a remarkable run of success in the Chinese capital.

Six titles in seven years. From 2009 to 2015, Beijing was Djokovic’s fortress.

A champion returns to his favourite hunting ground

Djokovic had already appeared on the China Open entry list earlier this month, listed alongside Jannik Sinner and US Open champion Alexander Zverev. Now he has removed all doubt with a direct message to his fans.

"I'm very happy to announce that I'm coming back after many years to play in Beijing at the China Open," he said in a message on his Instagram story. "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.

"A place where I had some incredible memories and great success throughout my career.

"I want to thank all the Chinese fans for their continuous love and support for so many years. Can't wait to perform in front of you. See you very soon."

The words carry extra weight this time. Djokovic is not just returning to a favourite stop on tour; he is looking to reset.

Picking up the pieces after New York

His comeback to China follows one of the most jarring defeats of his Grand Slam career. In New York, Djokovic fell in the first round of the US Open to Mariano Navone, his first opening-round exit at a major since the 2006 Australian Open.

For a player who has built a career on reliability at the biggest events, that kind of early crash lands hard. Beijing, then, offers something invaluable: familiarity, success, and a court where the muscle memory of winning runs deep.

The numbers tell the story of that dominance.

From 2009 to 2015, Djokovic collected six China Open titles:

• 2009: defeated Marin Cilic 6–2, 7–6
• 2010: defeated David Ferrer 6–2, 6–4
• 2012: defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7–6, 6–2
• 2013: defeated Rafael Nadal 7–6, 6–3
• 2014: dismantled Tomas Berdych 6–0, 6–2
• 2015: overpowered Rafael Nadal again, 6–2, 6–2

No man has lifted the trophy in Beijing more times.

Sinner the man to beat

Djokovic will walk back into a tournament that has found a new standard-bearer in Jannik Sinner.

The Italian claimed last year’s China Open title, beating Learner Tien 6-2, 6-2 in a one-sided final at the National Tennis Centre. Sinner’s numbers underlined his authority: 24 winners and 16 unforced errors, compared to Tien’s 11 winners and 18 errors.

"It is a very, very special place for me," Sinner said during the trophy presentation, as per the ATP website. He thanked his team, on site and watching from home, and spoke of pushing for more as the season unfolded.

He backed those words up. After Beijing, Sinner went on a charge, collecting titles in Vienna, Paris and Turin before the end of 2025, stamping himself as one of the tour’s most ruthless closers indoors and on hard courts.

So the stage this year looks very different to the one Djokovic last ruled. Sinner arrives as defending champion. Zverev comes in as the reigning US Open winner. The field is younger, deeper, and far less deferential.

Djokovic, though, brings something none of them can match in Beijing: a history of near-total control in this city.

He returns to a place where he once barely lost a set, to a court where he used to walk out knowing, not hoping, that he would leave with the trophy.

Now comes the question that will shape this edition of the China Open: is Beijing still Djokovic’s court, or has the new generation truly taken it for themselves?