Novak Djokovic secured his first tennis title of 2026 by winning the China Open in Beijing, capturing the 102nd singles trophy of his career after final opponent Alex de Minaur retired with a leg injury.
The 39-year-old Serbian star lifted his first trophy since winning in Athens in November 2025. Djokovic reached the final after a bizarre semifinal where Daniil Medvedev was disqualified for hitting a spectator in the face with a ball.
The Abrupt End in Beijing
The championship match at the ATP 500 event concluded prematurely when de Minaur pulled out due to a left-leg injury just one game into the second set. Djokovic had already secured the opening set in a tight tiebreak before the Australian could no longer continue because of persistent physical pain.
I do not feel great. I want to say sorry to all the fans who came here to watch the match.
De Minaur offered high praise for the champion during the trophy ceremony. As a fan of the sport, it is incredible to see the tennis you play, as always, the Australian told the crowd while wishing his opponent the best.
Djokovic Overcomes Health Issues to Win Title
The triumph marks a significant turnaround for a player who reached the Australian Open final early in the year before battling a series of physical setbacks and health issues.
This year has been quite tough for me, with many ups and downs as well as physical problems and health issues, so I just tried to find a good feeling on the court. I know that when I feel good and hit the ball well, I can still compete at the highest level. This week has been proof of that. I am very proud. This title means much more than just a title and a tournament.
With this victory, Djokovic extends an extraordinary consistency streak, having captured at least one title per year for the past 21 years. His career singles tally now stands at 102 titles, placing him behind only Jimmy Connors with 109 and Roger Federer with 103 on the all-time men’s list.
Return to the China Open After Eleven Years
Djokovic’s journey to the final included a three-set battle against Yunchaokete Bu earlier in the week, where the veteran dropped the first set before winning 4–6, 7–6, 6–2. That victory extended his historical tournament record at the venue, where he returned for the first time in 11 years holding the record for having won the China Open six times.
The path to the final matches also featured shortened contests across the draw. In the semifinals, Djokovic led his opponent 7–5, 5–3 before that match came to an early end, while the 27-year-old Australian advanced when Hubert Hurkacz stopped playing while trailing 6–4, 3–2. This meant neither finalist stepped onto the court carrying the burden of a fully completed long semifinal.
Following the conclusion of the tournament, the champion expressed his sympathy for how the final concluded. He addressed the crowd and his opponent directly, noting that he was very sorry about the abrupt ending and expressing hope for a speedy recovery, while reiterating that the defeated finalist remains one of the most exciting competitors to watch on the tour.