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 a noteworthy comeback to the tournament after a gap of eleven years, during which the Serbian star has not competed in Beijing.
The 39‑year‑old former world No. 1 has experienced a turbulent start to the season. At the US Open he suffered an unexpected first‑round loss to Argentina’s Mariano Navone, a defeat that saw his ranking tumble to as low as No. 12.
That upset followed a disappointing third‑round exit at Roland Garros in May, meaning that Djokovic endured two lackluster Grand Slam performances in quick succession, bookended only by a strong run to the Wimbledon semi‑finals where he was dispatched in straight sets by the eventual champion, Italy’s Jannik Sinner. Since clinching his most recent major title in 2023, Djokovic has endured a three‑year drought without adding another Grand Slam trophy to his résumé. The Beijing event, classified as an ATP 500 tournament, offers him a valuable opportunity to regain confidence and momentum ahead of the season’s final swing.
Djokovic is no stranger to success in China – he has lifted the trophy six times, the last of those victories coming in 2015. Last year’s champion was Jannik Sinner, who, however, will miss the upcoming edition due to a knee injury that forced him out of competition.
Navone’s triumph in New York was historically significant for Djokovic; it represented the first time the Serbian legend had been eliminated in the opening round of a Grand Slam since his early‑career defeat at the 2006 Australian Open. 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 remarks underscore both his enthusiasm for the event and his appreciation for the facilities in Beijing. In related news, Sky Sports has secured a three‑year extension to its US Open coverage, guaranteeing live broadcasts of the tournament through the end of 2030.
Meanwhile, the US Open has generated its own headlines: Alexander Zverev warned Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz that he believes he is currently the best player in the world, and he later captured the men’s title by defeating Ben Shelton in four sets, ending the American’s dream run. The tournament’s schedule, draws, and results continue to be closely followed as the final Grand Slam of 2026 unfolds at Flushing Meadows. On the women’s side, British talent Emma Raducanu announced on Wednesday that she will withdraw from this month’s China Open, postponing her return to competitive tennis until at least October. Raducanu has not played a match since losing the Queen’s Club final in June and subsequently missing Wimbledon and the US Open because of a stress fracture in her leg.
The 23‑year‑old recently shared a video from London’s National Tennis Centre showing her back in training, suggesting she is on the road to recovery. Analysts speculate that her next possible appearance could be at the Wuhan Open, scheduled to start on October 12 and also broadcast live on Sky Sports.
The China Open will therefore feature a compelling mix of storylines: Djokovic’s bid to rekindle his winning ways in a venue where he has historically thrived, the absence of last year’s champion Sinner, and the broader narrative of a season in which the sport’s top players are jockeying for position ahead of the year‑end championships. Fans can also enjoy a variety of other tennis content on Sky Sports, including the Laver Cup, which will be shown live from The O2 in London between September 25 and 27.
For those who prefer streaming, the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app provide contract‑free access to live matches and on‑demand highlights. Overall, Djokovic’s decision to return to Beijing adds a fresh layer of intrigue to an already eventful autumn calendar. Whether he can translate his experience and past success into a deep run this year remains to be seen, but his presence alone is sure to boost ticket sales, viewership numbers, and the competitive intensity of the tournament.
The coming week will reveal the draw, the match‑ups, and the form of the Serbian star as he prepares to take the court at the National Tennis Centre, eager to remind the tennis world why he has been a dominant force for more than a decade.