Novak Djokovic has officially announced his participation in this year’s China Open, a tournament scheduled from September 30 to October 6 that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. This marks the Serbian star’s first appearance at the Beijing event since 2015, ending an eleven‑year gap in his ATP 500 calendar.
The 39‑year‑old champion has experienced a turbulent start to the season. After a stunning upset at the US Open, where he fell in the opening round to Argentina’s Mariano Navone, his world ranking briefly slipped to No. 12 – the lowest position he has occupied in more than a decade. That loss followed a third‑round exit at Roland Garros in May, meaning Djokovic endured two lackluster Grand Slam outings in quick succession.
The only bright spot came at Wimbledon, where he advanced to the semifinals before being dispatched in straight sets by eventual champion Jannik Sinner. Djokovic’s trophy cabinet has remained untouched since his 2023 triumph, leaving him three full calendar years without a major title. The Beijing stop offers a chance to rediscover form on a surface that has historically suited him; he is a six‑time champion at the China Open, with his most recent victory there recorded in 2015.
Last year’s champion, Jannik Sinner, will miss the tournament due to a knee injury, opening the draw for a potential deep run by the Serbian. The loss to Navone in New York was particularly significant because it represented the first time Djokovic had been eliminated in the first round of a Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open, underscoring the unusual challenges he has faced this year. Despite the setbacks, Djokovic expressed enthusiasm about returning to the National Tennis Centre, describing it as “one of the nicest venues we have in tennis.” He shared his excitement on an Instagram story on Wednesday, promising fans a competitive performance. In related news, the US Open continues to be a focal point for Sky Sports, which has secured a three‑year extension to broadcast the tournament through the end of 2030.
The network also highlighted recent headlines from the American major, including Alexander Zverev’s claim that he is currently the world’s best player, his victory over Ben Shelton in the final, and various updates surrounding the 2026 edition of the event. Another British player, Emma Raducanu, announced her withdrawal from this month’s China Open. The 23‑year‑old has not competed 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.
Raducanu posted video from London’s National Tennis Centre showing her back in training, hinting at a possible return at the Wuhan Open on October 12, also to be shown live on Sky Sports. The China Open will therefore feature a compelling narrative: a veteran champion seeking to revive his momentum, a field reshaped by injuries to top contenders, and the absence of a promising British talent still on the road to recovery. Fans can look forward to high‑quality tennis, with Sky Sports providing live coverage across its platforms, including the NOW streaming service and the Sky Sports app, ensuring that viewers can follow every match without a contractual commitment.
Beyond the on‑court action, the tournament coincides with the Laver Cup, which will be staged at The O2 in London from September 25‑27 and also broadcast live on Sky Sports. This convergence of elite events offers tennis enthusiasts a packed schedule of world‑class competition, from the fast‑paced hard courts of Beijing to the team spirit of the Laver Cup. As Djokovic steps back onto the Beijing courts, the tennis world will be watching closely to see whether he can translate his experience and past success into a resurgence that could set the tone for the remainder of the season.