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 notable comeback to the tournament after a gap of more than a decade, the last time he competed in Beijing being back in 2015.
The 39‑year‑old Serbian star has endured a turbulent start to the season. After a stunning upset at the US Open, where he fell in the first round to Argentina’s Mariano Navone, his world ranking slipped to as low as No.
12. That early exit was particularly shocking because it was the first time since the 2006 Australian Open that Djokovic had been knocked out in the opening round of a Grand Slam event.
Prior to the New York disappointment, he had also endured a third‑round loss at the French Open in May, bookending a brief surge to the semi‑finals at Wimbledon where he was dispatched in straight sets by eventual champion Jannik Sinner. Djokovic’s recent form has been far from his usual dominance.
He has not captured a Grand Slam title since his 2023 triumph, meaning he has now endured three full calendar years without adding another major to his impressive haul. Nevertheless, his decision to return to the ATP 500 competition in Beijing signals a desire to regain confidence and momentum heading into the final stretch of the season. Historically, Djokovic has been highly successful in China, having lifted the trophy six times.
The tournament, held at the National Tennis Centre – a venue he described as "one of the nicest venues we have in tennis" – will provide a familiar backdrop for his comeback. Last year’s champion was Jannik Sinner, but the Italian is currently sidelined with a knee injury, opening the draw for other contenders.
In a brief Instagram story posted on Wednesday, Djokovic expressed his enthusiasm about the upcoming event, saying, "I am excited to come back and perform in front of all of you at the National Tennis Centre." His remarks underscore both his appreciation for the Chinese fans and his intent to make a strong statement after a difficult run of results. The China Open will also be notable for the absence of British rising star Emma Raducanu, who announced she would withdraw from the tournament and will not be back on court until at least October. Raducanu has been out of competition since a loss in the Queen’s Club final in June, a setback that forced her to miss both Wimbledon and the US Open due to a stress fracture in her leg.
She recently posted a video from London’s National Tennis Centre showing her back in training, and she is expected to aim for a return at the Wuhan Open on October 12, which will also be shown live on Sky Sports. Beyond the Chinese event, Sky Sports continues to expand its tennis coverage.
The network has secured a three‑year extension to broadcast the US Open through the end of 2030, ensuring that fans can follow the final Grand Slam of each season on the platform. Recent headlines from the US Open include Alexander Zverev’s claim that he is currently the world’s best player, his victory over Ben Shelton in the men’s final, and various updates on the tournament’s draw, schedule, and results. For viewers who prefer streaming, Sky Sports offers a contract‑free option via the NOW platform and its dedicated app, allowing fans to watch live tennis, including the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from September 25‑27. This flexible approach aims to attract a broader audience and keep tennis accessible throughout the busy autumn calendar.
In summary, Djokovic’s return to Beijing represents both a personal milestone after an eleven‑year absence and a strategic move to rebuild his form ahead of the season’s concluding tournaments. With the added drama of Raducanu’s injury layoff and the ongoing expansion of Sky Sports’ tennis portfolio, the upcoming weeks promise a compelling mix of on‑court action and off‑court narratives for tennis enthusiasts worldwide.