Novak Djokovic has officially announced his participation in this year’s China Open, which is scheduled to take place from September 30 to October 6 and 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 from the ATP 500 tournament. The 39‑year‑old champion has endured a turbulent start to the season.
After a stunning upset at the US Open, where he fell in the opening round to Argentina’s Mariano Navone, his world ranking briefly slipped to No. 12 – the lowest position he has occupied in more than a decade. That first‑round loss was particularly shocking because it was the first time Djokovic had been eliminated in the opening round of a Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open, a streak that had lasted twenty years.
The New York defeat came on the heels of another disappointing performance at Roland Garros earlier in May, where he exited in the third round. Those two lackluster Grand Slam outings bookended a more promising 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 has not captured a major title since his 2023 triumph, meaning he has now endured three full calendar years without adding another Grand Slam trophy to his résumé.
Djokovic’s return to Beijing is significant not only because of the long absence but also because he is a six‑time champion of the China Open. His most recent victory at the event came in 2015, and the tournament’s most recent champion, Jannik Sinner, is currently sidelined with a knee injury and will not be defending his title.
This opens the door for Djokovic to make a deep run and perhaps add another ATP 500 crown to his extensive collection. Speaking on Instagram, Djokovic expressed his enthusiasm about the upcoming week at the National Tennis Centre, describing the venue as one of the most beautiful 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 a story posted on Wednesday. In related news, the British player Emma Raducanu has announced that she will miss the China Open as well.
Raducanu, who has been struggling with a stress fracture in her leg, has not competed since losing the Queen’s Club final in June. The injury forced her out of Wimbledon and the US Open, and she only recently shared a video of herself training at London’s National Tennis Centre, indicating a tentative return to the court. While she is unlikely to appear in Beijing, Raducanu could make a comeback at the Wuhan Open, which begins on October 12 and will also be shown live on Sky Sports. The broader tennis calendar continues to generate headlines.
Sky Sports recently secured a three‑year extension to its US Open coverage, ensuring that the tournament will remain on the channel through the end of 2030. Meanwhile, Alexander Zverev has been vocal about his confidence, claiming he is currently the best player in the world and issuing a subtle warning to rivals Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. Zverev’s own US Open campaign has been dramatic, culminating in a four‑set victory over Ben Shelton in the men’s final, a match that has been widely discussed across sports media.
Fans can also look forward to other major tennis events being streamed without a contract through the NOW platform and the Sky Sports App. The Laver Cup, set to take place at The O2 in London from September 25‑27, will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, offering additional high‑profile tennis action. Overall, Djokovic’s decision to return to the China Open adds a compelling storyline to an already eventful season.
With his recent ranking dip, a string of early Grand Slam exits, and a hunger to reclaim his place among the sport’s elite, the Serbian ace will be looking to use the Beijing week as a springboard to regain confidence and momentum. Whether he can translate his experience and past success at the venue into a deep tournament run remains to be seen, but the anticipation among fans and commentators alike is palpable. The upcoming matches promise to deliver high‑quality tennis, and Sky Sports’ coverage will ensure that audiences worldwide can follow every rally, serve, and breakthrough moment as Djokovic seeks to write the next chapter of his remarkable career.