Novak Djokovic captured his seventh China Open title in Beijing on Tuesday after Alex de Minaur retired with a groin injury in the final. The 39-year-old Serbian won the opening set 7-6(3) before de Minaur stopped after the first game of the second set, ending the match at 7-6(3), 0-1.
It is Djokovic's first title of 2026 and the 102nd tour-level trophy of his career, one behind Roger Federer's 103. The victory also extended his perfect record at the China Open to 34 wins without a loss across seven appearances, having last played the event in 2015.
A tight set, then an abrupt ending
The first set offered no breaks and was decided in a tiebreak, which Djokovic took 7-3 on Diamond Court. Both players took medical timeouts after the opening set, and de Minaur returned with his left thigh heavily strapped. He held serve for 1-0 in the second set before suddenly retiring.
The Australian apologised to the crowd in his on-court interview, saying he had not wanted the final to end that way. Djokovic, who had also needed the physio during the match, called it a strange end to a magical week.
A remarkable run in Beijing
Djokovic's path to the title included victories over top seed Alexander Zverev in the quarter-finals and Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals. The semi-final ended in dramatic fashion after Medvedev was disqualified for striking a spectator with the ball.
The Beijing triumph means Djokovic has now won at least one ATP title in each of the last 21 seasons, an Open Era record. His only other final of 2026 had ended in defeat to Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open, and he arrived in Beijing after a first-round exit at the US Open amid physical struggles.
Sources: Djokovic wins China Open as de Minaur retires with injury — Reuters | Djokovic seals seventh China Open title after De Minaur retires in final — Sportsnet (AP)
It is Djokovic's first title of 2026 and the 102nd tour-level trophy of his career, one behind Roger Federer's 103. The victory also extended his perfect record at the China Open to 34 wins without a loss across seven appearances, having last played the event in 2015.
A tight set, then an abrupt ending
The first set offered no breaks and was decided in a tiebreak, which Djokovic took 7-3 on Diamond Court. Both players took medical timeouts after the opening set, and de Minaur returned with his left thigh heavily strapped. He held serve for 1-0 in the second set before suddenly retiring.
The Australian apologised to the crowd in his on-court interview, saying he had not wanted the final to end that way. Djokovic, who had also needed the physio during the match, called it a strange end to a magical week.
A remarkable run in Beijing
Djokovic's path to the title included victories over top seed Alexander Zverev in the quarter-finals and Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals. The semi-final ended in dramatic fashion after Medvedev was disqualified for striking a spectator with the ball.
The Beijing triumph means Djokovic has now won at least one ATP title in each of the last 21 seasons, an Open Era record. His only other final of 2026 had ended in defeat to Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open, and he arrived in Beijing after a first-round exit at the US Open amid physical struggles.
Sources: Djokovic wins China Open as de Minaur retires with injury — Reuters | Djokovic seals seventh China Open title after De Minaur retires in final — Sportsnet (AP)
