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 the Serbian champion’s return to the tournament after a gap of eleven years, the last time he competed in Beijing in 2015. The 39‑year‑old world‑class player has endured a turbulent start to the season. Following a stunning first‑round loss to Argentina’s Mariano Navone at the US Open, Djokovic’s ranking briefly slipped to No.
12, a position he has not occupied since early in his career. The defeat in New York was particularly painful because it represented the first time he had been eliminated in the opening round of a Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open, underscoring a period of uncharacteristic vulnerability. That early exit came on the heels of a lackluster performance at the French Open in May, where he bowed out in the third round. The two consecutive under‑performances at major events framed a brief resurgence at Wimbledon, where Djokovic reached the semi‑finals before being dispatched in straight sets by eventual champion Jannik Sinner.
While the Wimbledon run demonstrated that he can still compete at the highest level, it also highlighted a growing gap between him and the new generation of players who are beginning to dominate the sport. Djokovic’s last Grand Slam triumph came in 2023, and he has now endured three full calendar years without adding another major title to his résumé. The prolonged drought has fueled speculation about his future prospects and the evolving hierarchy within men’s tennis. Nevertheless, the Serbian star remains determined to rebuild his confidence and reclaim his place among the elite.
His decision to re‑enter the ATP 500 event in Beijing is part of a broader strategy to amass valuable match play, regain ranking points, and test his game against a competitive field. Historically, Djokovic has enjoyed considerable success in Beijing, having lifted the trophy six times during his previous visits.
The tournament, held at the National Tennis Centre, is widely regarded as one of the most attractive venues on the ATP calendar, both for its modern facilities and its enthusiastic local fan base. In a recent Instagram story, Djokovic expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “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 comments reflect both a personal affection for the setting and a desire to reconnect with supporters in the region. Last year’s champion, Jannik Sinner, will not be defending his title due to a knee injury that has sidelined him for several weeks. This development opens the draw and creates an opportunity for Djokovic to make a deep run, potentially adding another ATP 500 crown to his extensive collection.
The field is expected to be strong, with several rising stars and seasoned veterans eager to capitalize on the absence of the Italian prodigy. In parallel news, British player Emma Raducanu has announced her withdrawal from the same tournament. Raducanu, who has been absent from competition since a loss in the Queen’s Club final in June and subsequent injuries that forced her out of Wimbledon and the US Open, will not return to match play until at least October.
She recently posted video footage of herself training at London’s National Tennis Centre, indicating that she is on the road to recovery after a stress fracture in her leg. Analysts suggest that Raducanu could make her comeback at the Wuhan Open, scheduled to begin on October 12 and also streamed live on Sky Sports.
The China Open will be covered extensively by Sky Sports, which continues its partnership with the tournament and offers viewers the chance to follow every match without a contractual commitment via the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app. Fans can also look forward to other major tennis events on the network, including the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from September 25‑27. Overall, Djokovic’s return to Beijing is a significant storyline for the latter part of the 2024 season. It provides a platform for him to test his form, gather crucial points, and possibly spark a resurgence that could carry him into the final Grand Slam of the year with renewed confidence.
Whether he can translate his experience and skill into a title this time around remains to be seen, but the anticipation surrounding his comeback has already added a compelling narrative to the upcoming Asian swing of the ATP tour.