Novak Djokovic’s love affair with the Chinese capital continues to write history. Returning to the tournament for the first time in 11 years, the 39-year-old Serbian superstar cemented his legacy by capturing his seventh China Open title. While the championship match ended in an anticlimactic fashion—with opponent Alex de Minaur forced to retire due to a thigh injury early in the second set—it did nothing to overshadow the sheer magnitude of Djokovic's flawless run in Beijing.
A Fortress in Beijing
With this triumph, Djokovic extended his jaw-dropping, undefeated record at the tournament to 33-0. Having previously dominated the event from 2009 to 2015 by winning it every single time he entered, his return proved that time has done little to erode his mastery over the courts. Along the way, his campaign featured vintage resilience, including a grueling quarter-final battle against French and U.S. Open champion Alexander Zverev. By overcoming tough tests, Djokovic broke the Open Era record for the best start in a men's singles tournament, surpassing the previous benchmark set by Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros.
Milestone 102 and Continuing Brilliance
The victory marks a monumental milestone for the veteran champion:
102nd Career Title: This win brings Djokovic closer to the all-time records held by Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103).
21 Consecutive Years: Djokovic has now secured at least one tour-level trophy in each of the last 21 consecutive seasons.
Unblemished Beijing History: His seventh title leaves him with four more victories at the event than any other player in tournament history.
Though the final was cut short when De Minaur retired trailing 7-6(3), 1-0, Djokovic had already dominated a punishing first-set tie-break to assert control. During the trophy ceremony, a smiling Djokovic reflected on his enduring connection with the city, noting how he always visualizes himself lifting the trophy in Beijing.
As the tennis calendar moves forward, this triumph serves as a powerful reminder that whenever Novak Djokovic steps onto the court in China, perfection is always within his reach.
