Novak Djokovic has officially 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 a notable comeback to the tournament after an eleven‑year gap, 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 first‑round upset at the US Open, where he fell to Argentina’s Mariano Navone, Djokovic’s world ranking briefly slipped to No. 12 – his lowest position in many years. That loss followed a disappointing third‑round exit at Roland Garros in May, meaning he endured two lackluster Grand Slam performances surrounding a deep run at Wimbledon, where he reached the semi‑finals before being dispatched in straight sets by eventual champion Jannik Sinner.
Djokovic’s trophy cabinet has remained untouched since his 2023 Grand Slam triumph, leaving him three full calendar years without adding another major title. Nevertheless, his decision to return to the ATP 500 event in Beijing underscores his desire to regain momentum and collect valuable ranking points. He is a six‑time champion of the China Open, having last lifted the trophy in 2015. Last year’s champion was Jannik Sinner, but Sinner will miss the 2024 edition due to a knee injury, opening the field for other contenders.
The loss to Navone in New York was historically significant for Djokovic, as it represented the first occasion since the 2006 Australian Open that he had been eliminated in the opening round of a Grand Slam tournament. In a brief Instagram story posted on Wednesday, Djokovic expressed his enthusiasm about the upcoming appearance, saying, "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." In related news, Sky Sports has secured a three‑year extension to its US Open coverage, ensuring the tournament will continue to be shown on the network through the end of 2030. Meanwhile, other headline stories from the US Open include Alexander Zverev’s bold claim that he is currently the world’s best player, his subsequent victory over Ben Shelton in the men’s final, and a series of updates about the tournament’s draw, schedule, and results. On the women's side, British player Emma Raducanu announced that she will withdraw from this month’s China Open and will not return to competitive play until at least October.
Raducanu has been sidelined since she suffered a stress fracture in her leg that forced her out of Wimbledon and the US Open after a loss in the Queen’s Club final in June. The 23‑year‑old shared a video last week of herself training at London’s National Tennis Centre, indicating that she is back on the court and working toward a comeback. She could potentially make her return at the Wuhan Open, set to begin on October 12, with the event also being aired live on Sky Sports.
For tennis fans who prefer streaming, Sky Sports offers a contract‑free option through the NOW platform and its dedicated app, allowing viewers to follow the action without a traditional subscription. In addition to the China Open, Sky Sports will also broadcast the Laver Cup, which takes place at the O2 Arena in London from September 25 to 27.
Djokovic’s participation in Beijing is expected to generate considerable interest, not only because of his storied history at the venue but also due to the narrative of a champion seeking to rebound after a challenging stretch of results. The National Tennis Centre, praised by Djokovic for its facilities, provides an ideal backdrop for a player of his caliber to showcase his skills and possibly secure another ATP title. While the competition will be fierce, especially with rising stars eager to make their mark, Djokovic’s experience and resilience could prove decisive. Overall, the upcoming China Open promises to be a compelling chapter in the 2024 tennis calendar, featuring a blend of veteran talent, emerging contenders, and dramatic storylines that extend beyond the court.
Fans can look forward to high‑quality matches, insightful commentary from Sky Sports, and the chance to witness whether Novak Djokovic can reignite his winning ways on the Asian swing of the tour.