Novak Djokovic confirms China Open return after 11-year absence in bid to return to world's top 10 after shock first-round exit at Flushing Meadows
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By Ben Grounds
Published 16/09/2026 at 22:53 GMT+1
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Novak Djokovic says he is excited to return to Beijing, where he has enjoyed some of the most successful tennis of his career, after confirming he will compete at the China Open for the first time in 11 years.
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Djokovic has won the China Open six times and has never lost a final at the event, making Beijing one of the most productive stops of his career.
His return comes at a significant moment in the season with Djokovic having endured a difficult run at the Grand Slams and dropped to No 12 in the ATP rankings after a shock first-round defeat to Argentina's Mariano Navone at the US Open.
The five-set loss in New York was Djokovic's first opening-round defeat at a Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open.
The four-time US Open champion also struggled physically during the match, becoming ill before back and shoulder problems affected his serve as the contest progressed.
The result ended an eight-year run inside the world's top 10 and followed an earlier third-round exit at the French Open.
Djokovic did reach the Wimbledon semi-finals between those two setbacks, but his run in SW19 ended against Jannik Sinner, who went on to win the title. The Serbian has not won a Grand Slam since 2023.
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Against that backdrop, his decision to return to Beijing carries added significance as he seeks to regain confidence.
Djokovic's announcement on Instagram was accompanied by a warm message to the tournament's supporters and a reflection on his previous success at the National Tennis Centre.
"I am very happy to announce that I’m coming back to Beijing after many years to play at the China Open," the Serbian wrote.
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"I’m so excited to be back and to perform in front of you all at the National Tennis Centre, one of the nicest venues in tennis, a place where I have incredible memories and great successes throughout my career.
"I want to thank all the Chinese fans for their years-long love and support. Can’t wait to perform in front of you. See you very soon."
The China Open will feature a strong field, with world No. 1 Sinner and newly crowned US Open champion Alexander Zverev among the leading names expected to compete.
Sinner won last year's Beijing title but has subsequently been sidelined by a knee injury, making his condition heading into the tournament one of the questions surrounding the event.
Djokovic's China Open return follows a US Open campaign that ended far earlier than expected. The defeat by Navone ended his run in New York at the earliest possible stage and contributed to his subsequent fall to No 12 in the ATP rankings.
Meanwhile, Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from the women's singles event in Beijing as she continues her recovery from a stress fracture in her leg.
The 23-year-old has not competed since reaching the Queen's Club final in June, with the injury also forcing her to miss Wimbledon and the US Open.
Raducanu has since returned to training and recently shared footage from the National Tennis Centre in London.
Her next potential opportunity to resume competition could come at the Wuhan Open, which begins on October 12, although a firm date for her return has not yet been confirmed.
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