Novak Djokovic has officially announced his participation in this year’s China Open, scheduled to run from September 30 to October 6, with live coverage provided by Sky Sports. This entry marks a notable comeback to the tournament after a gap of eleven years, the last time the Serbian star competed in Beijing being back in 2015. The 39‑year‑old former world No. 1 entered the recent US Open with a world ranking that had slipped to No.
12, a dramatic fall that followed a stunning first‑round loss to Argentina’s rising talent Mariano Navone. That upset in New York was particularly shocking because it was the first occasion since the 2006 Australian Open that Djokovic had been eliminated in the opening round of a Grand Slam event. The defeat came on the heels of a third‑round exit at Roland Garros in May, bookending a mixed Grand Slam season that also featured a deep run to the semifinals at Wimbledon.
At the All England Club, he was dispatched in straight sets by the eventual champion, Italy’s Jannik Sinner, ending his campaign earlier than many had hoped. Djokovic’s trophy cabinet has not welcomed a new Grand Slam title since his 2023 triumph, meaning he has now endured three full calendar years without adding to his already impressive collection of 24 major crowns. Nevertheless, his record at the ATP 500 event in Beijing remains formidable: he is a six‑time champion of the China Open, having lifted the trophy most recently in 2015. Last year’s edition was won by Jannik Sinner, who is currently sidelined with a knee injury and therefore will not be defending his title.
In a brief Instagram story posted on Wednesday, Djokovic expressed his enthusiasm about returning to the National Tennis Centre, describing the venue as "one of the nicest venues we have in tennis" and emphasizing his eagerness to perform in front of the local crowd. His statement underscored both his respect for the facilities in Beijing and his desire to make a strong impression after a challenging stretch of results.
The news of Djokovic’s return coincided with other notable updates from the tennis world. British sensation Emma Raducanu confirmed her withdrawal from the same China Open, citing ongoing recovery from a stress fracture in her leg that has kept her out of competition since a loss in the Queen’s Club final in June.
Raducanu missed both Wimbledon and the US Open while focusing on rehabilitation, but she recently posted a video from London’s National Tennis Centre showing her back in training. While she has not set a definitive comeback date, she hinted that she could aim for a return at the Wuhan Open, scheduled to begin on October 12 and also broadcast live on Sky Sports. Beyond the individual player news, Sky Sports has secured a three‑year extension to its US Open broadcasting rights, ensuring coverage of the tournament through the end of 2030.
This deal highlights the broadcaster’s commitment to delivering premier tennis content to its audience. In related coverage, Alexander Zverev has made headlines with a bold claim that he is currently the best player in the world, a statement directed at rivals Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. Zverev later fulfilled part of that narrative by defeating Ben Shelton in the US Open final, securing the title in four sets and ending the American’s hopes of a breakthrough victory. The US Open also generated a flurry of stories, ranging from match schedules and live scores to in‑depth analysis of the tournament’s final Grand Slam of the 2026 season.
Fans were treated to live commentary, updates, and post‑match interviews, with particular focus on the dramatic showdown between Zverev and Shelton. For viewers who prefer streaming, the sport can be accessed without a traditional contract via the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app, offering flexible options to follow the action. Additionally, tennis enthusiasts have the opportunity to experience the Laver Cup in person at London’s O2 Arena from September 25‑27, with live coverage also provided by Sky Sports.
In summary, Novak Djokovic’s decision to re‑enter the China Open adds an exciting storyline to an already packed tennis calendar. After a period of mixed results and a dip in ranking, the Serbian champion is poised to test his form on the hard courts of Beijing, aiming to recapture past glory and perhaps set the stage for a resurgence in the latter part of the season. Meanwhile, the broader tennis landscape continues to evolve, with emerging talents, veteran comebacks, and extensive broadcast partnerships shaping the sport’s narrative for fans worldwide.