Novak Djokovic, the former world number one, added a seventh China Open trophy to his collection, clinching the title without ever having to fend off a match point in either the semi‑final or the final. The Serbian legend’s path to victory was unusual: his semi‑final opponent, Daniil Medvedev, was disqualified after an errant shot struck a spectator, granting Djokovic an automatic win. In the championship match, Djokovic secured his 102nd career title when Australian contender Alex de Minaur retired after the first set, unable to continue despite a brief attempt to play on with a heavily bandaged left thigh. The final began with a tightly contested first set that saw both players trading powerful baseline strokes, each trying to force the other into errors.
De Minaur came close to breaking Djokovic’s serve in the fifth game, but the Serbian saved the break point with a full‑stretch backhand that flew down the sideline. The tension continued into a tiebreak, where de Minaur’s unforced errors began to mount, allowing Djokovic to capture the set 7‑6 (7‑3). Shortly after the set concluded, de Minaur took a medical timeout, returning to the court with a thick bandage wrapped around his left thigh. He managed to win the opening game of the second set, but the lingering pain forced him to retire, leaving the score at 7‑6 (7‑3), 0‑1 in Djokovic’s favour.
During the trophy ceremony, Djokovic reflected on his long‑standing relationship with the Beijing venue, noting, "It’s been 11 years since I last played here. I always set high standards for myself and visualise standing with the trophy, especially in a place where I have never lost.
Yet I also recognise that reality has changed over the years." His words underscored both his confidence and his awareness of the physical challenges he has faced recently. The victory pushes Djokovic’s tally of tour‑level titles to 102, placing him just one win behind Roger Federer’s Open Era record of 103 and firmly behind Jimmy Connors, who amassed 109 titles. It also extends his flawless record at ATP 500 events to 34 wins and zero losses, reinforcing his status as a dominant force at this tier. Moreover, the triumph bolsters his chances of qualifying for the Nitto ATP Finals later in the season, a goal that has seemed uncertain after a year marked by injuries and health setbacks.
Djokovic’s own comments highlighted the difficulty of the season: "This year has been quite challenging for me: lots of physical and health issues. I was just trying to find a good feeling on the court. I know that I’m feeling well and striking the ball well, I can compete at the highest level. This week has been evidence of that." He also mentioned receiving treatment during the break between the first and second sets, a reminder that even as he lifted the trophy, his body was still managing lingering concerns.
De Minaur, visibly disappointed, addressed the fans after his retirement. "I want to apologise to all the amazing fans who came to watch this match. I didn’t want to finish like this, so I’m really sorry. To my team – those here and those back home – thank you.
It’s been a great week and I’m sure there’s plenty more to come," he said, echoing the sentiment of many players who prefer to end matches on a competitive note rather than through injury. Former British No. 1 Johanna Konta, speaking to Sky Sports Tennis, described the conclusion as "anticlimactic" and noted the lack of emotional release that typically follows a hard‑fought victory.
She praised Djokovic for handling the unforeseen challenges presented to him, stating, "Djokovic was the best player this week because you can only ask a player to deal with the challenges that are presented to them and he dealt with the challenges that were ahead of him and that’s all there is to it. We do not want to see matches end in retirement and Djokovic himself probably wouldn’t want that either.
However, I’m sure he was pleased that he wasn’t necessarily stretched to his physical limits but he will be pleased with the good things that he did do this week. I would have been less surprised had Novak Djokovic retired." The tournament’s broader context included a reminder to viewers to use the Chrome browser for optimal video playback, and a promotion for streaming the China Open and the Shanghai Masters on NOW and the Sky Sports App without contractual obligations. Overall, Djokovic’s seventh China Open title not only adds another milestone to his storied career but also illustrates his resilience in navigating a season fraught with physical adversity while still delivering top‑level tennis on the world stage.