Novak Djokovic has officially announced his participation in this year’s China Open, which will be staged from September 30 to October 6 and broadcast live on Sky Sports. This marks his first appearance at the Beijing tournament since 2015, ending an eleven‑year gap from the ATP 500 event.
The Serbian star, now 39, has experienced a turbulent start to the season. After a stunning first‑round upset at the US Open, where he fell to Argentina’s Mariano Navone, his world ranking slipped to as low as No. 12.
That loss followed a disappointing third‑round exit at Roland Garros in May, bookending a semi‑final run at Wimbledon where he was dispatched in straight sets by eventual champion Jannik Sinner. Djokovic’s trophy cabinet has remained untouched since his 2023 Grand Slam triumph, leaving him three full calendar years without a major title. Despite the recent setbacks, the 39‑year‑old remains a six‑time champion in Beijing, having lifted the China Open trophy for the last time in 2015. Last year’s champion, Jannik Sinner, is currently sidelined with a knee injury, opening the draw for a potential deep run by the returning Serbian.
The defeat to Navone in New York was historically significant: it was the first occasion since the 2006 Australian Open that Djokovic had been eliminated in the opening round of a Grand Slam. Reflecting on his upcoming return, Djokovic posted an Instagram story on Wednesday, saying, “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.” His enthusiasm suggests a desire to regain confidence on a court he knows well. In related news, Sky Sports has secured a three‑year extension to its US Open coverage, ensuring live broadcasts of the tournament through the end of 2030.
The network also highlighted recent headlines from the US Open circuit, including Alexander Zverev’s claim that he is the world’s best player, his victory over Ben Shelton in the final, and various updates on the 2026 Grand Slam schedule at Flushing Meadows. On the women’s side, Britain’s Emma Raducanu announced she will miss the China Open, postponing her return to competitive tennis until at least October. Raducanu has been absent from the tour since a loss in the Queen’s Club final in June and has missed both Wimbledon and the US Open due to a stress fracture in her leg. She posted a video from London’s National Tennis Centre showing her back in training, and she may aim for a comeback at the Wuhan Open, slated to begin on October 12 and also streamed on Sky Sports.
The China Open itself is a pivotal stop on the ATP calendar, offering 500 ranking points and a substantial prize purse. Historically, the tournament has attracted top talent, and Djokovic’s return adds a layer of intrigue.
Analysts predict that his experience and familiarity with the hard‑court conditions could see him advance beyond the early rounds, especially with Sinner out of contention. Beyond the on‑court action, Sky Sports is promoting its broader tennis coverage.
Subscribers can stream matches without a long‑term contract via the NOW platform or the Sky Sports app, and the network will also broadcast the Laver Cup at the O2 Arena in London from September 25‑27. These offerings aim to keep tennis fans engaged throughout the autumn season, whether they are following the ATP tour, the WTA circuit, or team events like the Laver Cup.
Djokovic’s decision to compete in Beijing may also be strategic from a ranking perspective. By gathering points at an ATP 500 event, he can offset the loss of points from his early Grand Slam exits and potentially climb back toward the top ten.
The tournament’s timing, just before the Asian swing of the tour, provides a valuable opportunity to build momentum heading into the season‑ending events. Fans can look forward to a packed week of high‑quality tennis, with the National Tennis Centre’s state‑of‑the‑art facilities providing an ideal backdrop for the drama. Djokovic’s presence alone is likely to boost ticket sales and viewership, while younger players will be eager to test themselves against a multiple‑Grand Slam champion. In summary, Novak Djokovic’s return to the China Open after an eleven‑year absence is a major storyline for the upcoming ATP calendar.
Coupled with the ongoing narratives of Emma Raducanu’s injury recovery, Sky Sports’ extended US Open rights, and the broader push to make tennis more accessible via streaming platforms, the sport is set for an eventful autumn. Whether Djokovic can translate his enthusiasm into results remains to be seen, but his participation guarantees a compelling chapter in the 2026 tennis season.