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 former world No. 1 has experienced a turbulent start to the season. After a surprising first‑round loss to Argentina’s Mariano Navone at the US Open, his ranking slipped to as low as No.
12, a position he has not occupied since the early stages of his career. The defeat in New York was particularly striking because it was the first time Djokovic had been eliminated in the opening round of a Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open, underscoring a rare vulnerability in his otherwise dominant record. That early‑season stumble followed a disappointing third‑round exit at Roland Garros in May, where he failed to progress beyond the middle stages of the French Open.
The two lackluster Grand Slam performances bookended a more respectable run at Wimbledon, where he reached the semi‑finals before being dispatched in straight sets by eventual champion Jannik Sinner. Despite the semi‑final appearance, Djokovic’s overall Grand Slam tally has stalled; he has not captured a major title since his 2023 triumph, meaning he has now endured three consecutive calendar years without adding another crown to his extensive collection. Returning to the ATP 500 competition in Beijing carries special significance for Djokovic.
He is a six‑time champion of the China Open, having last lifted the trophy in 2015. The event was won last year by Jannik Sinner, who is currently sidelined with a knee injury, opening the draw for other contenders. Djokovic’s statement on Instagram highlighted his enthusiasm: “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 desire to compete at a familiar venue and a broader intention to re‑establish his presence on the Asian swing of the tour.
The announcement of Djokovic’s return coincides with other notable developments on the Sky Sports tennis schedule. The network recently secured a three‑year extension to broadcast the US Open through the end of 2030, ensuring continued coverage of the sport’s premier event.
Meanwhile, British talent Emma Raducanu has confirmed her withdrawal from the China Open, citing ongoing recovery from a stress fracture in her leg that forced her out of Wimbledon and the US Open. Raducanu, who has not competed since a loss in the Queen’s Club final in June, posted video footage of herself training at London’s National Tennis Centre, suggesting a possible comeback at the Wuhan Open on October 12, also to be shown on Sky Sports. In addition to the China Open, Sky Sports will continue to offer a range of tennis content without a contractual commitment through its NOW platform and the dedicated Sky Sports app. Fans can also look forward to the Laver Cup, taking place at The O2 in London from September 25 to 27, which will be streamed live on the same network.
Overall, Djokovic’s decision to compete in Beijing signals a strategic move to regain momentum ahead of the season’s final stretch. By entering a tournament where he has historically excelled, he hopes to collect valuable ranking points, rebuild confidence, and perhaps set the stage for a resurgence in the latter half of the year.
The combination of his experience, the allure of a familiar venue, and the opportunity to face a field missing its defending champion creates a compelling narrative for tennis enthusiasts worldwide. As the China Open approaches, all eyes will be on the Serbian maestro to see whether he can translate his ambition into results and rekindle the form that once made him the dominant force on the tour.