Novak Djokovic has announced that he will take part in this year’s China Open, which is scheduled to run from September 30 to October 6 and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. This marks his first appearance at the tournament since 2015, ending an eleven‑year gap.
The 39‑year‑old Serbian star has experienced a turbulent start to the season. After a stunning first‑round upset at the US Open at the hands of Argentina’s Mariano Navone, he briefly slipped to No. 12 in the ATP rankings – his lowest position in several years.
That loss followed a third‑round exit at Roland Garros in May, meaning he endured two disappointing Grand Slam outings before reaching the Wimbledon semi‑finals, where he was soundly beaten in straight sets by eventual champion Jannik Sinner. 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. Despite the recent setbacks, the Serbian legend remains a six‑time champion of the ATP 500 event in Beijing, having last competed there in 2015.
Last year’s champion was Jannik Sinner, who is currently sidelined with a knee injury and will not be defending his title. The defeat to Navone in New York was particularly notable because it was the first time Djokovic had been eliminated in the opening round of a Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open, underscoring how unusual the season has been for him. Speaking on an Instagram story on Wednesday, Djokovic expressed his enthusiasm about returning to the National Tennis Centre in Beijing, describing it as one of the most beautiful venues in the sport.
"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," he wrote. In related news, Sky Sports has secured a three‑year extension to continue its coverage of the US Open through the end of 2030, ensuring that tennis fans will have uninterrupted access to the tournament’s action for the foreseeable future.
Other headlines from the US Open circuit include Alexander Zverev’s claim that he is currently the world’s best player, his subsequent victory over Ben Shelton in the men’s final, and Ben Shelton’s reflections on reaching his first Grand Slam final. These stories highlight the shifting dynamics at the top of men’s tennis as the sport moves toward the close of the 2026 season. On the women’s side, Britain’s Emma Raducanu announced that she will miss the China Open, citing ongoing recovery from a stress fracture in her leg that forced her out of Wimbledon and the US Open.
The 23‑year‑old last competed in the Queen’s Club final in June and has only recently resumed training, sharing video footage from London’s National Tennis Centre. Raducanu could make her next competitive appearance at the Wuhan Open, slated to begin on October 12 and also broadcast on Sky Sports.
For fans looking to follow the action, the tournament will be streamed without a contract via the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app, offering flexible viewing options. In addition to the China Open, Sky Sports will also present the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from September 25‑27, providing a packed schedule of high‑profile tennis events. Overall, Djokovic’s decision to return to Beijing adds a compelling narrative to a season that has seen him grapple with form, fitness, and ranking fluctuations. While his recent results have been below the lofty standards he set for himself over the past decade, his presence at the China Open promises to draw significant attention and could serve as a catalyst for a resurgence as the ATP calendar moves toward its final months.
The tournament will not only showcase Djokovic’s quest for redemption but also highlight emerging talents like Sinner, who, despite his injury, remains a major talking point, and other rising stars eager to make their mark on the Asian swing of the tour.