The Novak Djokovic China Open return is officially confirmed, with the 24-time Grand Slam champion set to compete in Beijing for the first time since 2015. Djokovic announced his participation in a message shared with fans, expressing his excitement about returning to a tournament where he has enjoyed remarkable success.

The Serbian star last played at the China Open in 2015. He won the title that year after defeating Rafael Nadal in the final, extending an extraordinary record at the Beijing tournament. Now, more than a decade later, Djokovic will return to the National Tennis Centre as he begins the next stage of his 2026 season. YYahoo Sports+1

Djokovic’s return comes at an important moment in his career. His 2026 US Open campaign ended in the first round against Argentina’s Mariano Navone, marking an unusually early Grand Slam exit for one of tennis’s most accomplished players. He has subsequently confirmed that Beijing will be part of his schedule.

Novak Djokovic China Open Return Brings Back Memories

For Djokovic, the China Open is more than another stop on the ATP calendar.

The tournament has been one of the most successful events of his career. Djokovic has won the men’s singles title six times, taking the championship in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. He has never lost a match at the event. YYahoo Sports+1

That gives Djokovic a perfect 29-0 record in Beijing.

His final appearance came in 2015, when he defeated Nadal 6-2, 6-2. It was Djokovic’s fourth consecutive China Open championship and his sixth overall title at the tournament.

The long absence makes his 2026 return particularly notable.

In his announcement, Djokovic thanked Chinese supporters for their continued support and said he was excited to perform again at the National Tennis Centre. His message was shared in connection with his return to Beijing after an 11-year gap. YYahoo Sports+1

Djokovic Confirms Beijing Return in Message to Fans

Djokovic confirmed the news through social media rather than leaving his participation as an entry-list possibility.

His announcement followed reports earlier in September that he had been included on the China Open entry list. The latest message removed any uncertainty over whether he intended to compete.

The tournament is scheduled to take place in Beijing from September 30 through October 6, according to reports surrounding the event. YYahoo Sports+1

For Djokovic, the timing provides an opportunity to return to competition after a difficult North American hard-court swing.

Reuters reported that Djokovic is returning to the China Open after an 11-year absence as he looks to rebuild momentum following his first-round US Open defeat. The result also contributed to his drop to No. 12 in the ATP rankings. RReuters

Djokovic’s China Open Record Is Remarkable

The numbers surrounding Djokovic’s Beijing career help explain why the tournament holds such significance.

He has played six editions of the China Open and won every time. His six championships are the most in the tournament’s men’s singles history, while his 29 victories without a defeat give him a perfect record at the event. YYahoo Sports+1

His championship years were:

• 2009: defeated Marin Cilic
• 2010: defeated David Ferrer
• 2012: defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
• 2013: defeated Rafael Nadal
• 2014: defeated Tomas Berdych
• 2015: defeated Rafael Nadal

The consistency is especially striking because Djokovic did not simply win the tournament once or twice. He repeatedly returned to Beijing and finished the event with the trophy.

His 2015 victory over Nadal was his most recent appearance.

Eleven years later, Djokovic will attempt to continue a record that remains untouched because he has not returned to the tournament since.

Why the China Open Matters for Djokovic in 2026

The Novak Djokovic China Open return comes against a different competitive backdrop from the one he faced during his previous Beijing appearances.

When Djokovic last won the China Open in 2015, he was firmly established as one of the dominant players in men’s tennis. The current landscape is different, with younger stars occupying prominent positions at the top of the ATP rankings.

Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev are among the leading names expected in the field. Sinner also won the 2025 China Open, defeating Learner Tien in the final. YYahoo Sports+1

That means Djokovic’s return will not simply be a nostalgic appearance.

He will enter a tournament featuring some of the strongest players of the current generation. His experience in Beijing, however, gives the event an unusual statistical storyline: he has never lost there.

Whether that record continues will become one of the major questions surrounding the tournament.

Djokovic Looks to Respond After US Open Exit

The China Open announcement also follows one of the most difficult Grand Slam results of Djokovic’s career.

At the 2026 US Open, Djokovic lost in the opening round to Mariano Navone. Reuters described the defeat as a surprising first-round exit and noted that Djokovic had subsequently slipped to No. 12 in the ATP rankings. RReuters

The result was significant because Djokovic has spent much of his career competing at the very top of men’s tennis.

His return to Beijing therefore gives him an immediate opportunity to compete again rather than wait until a later tournament.

The Asian swing could become an important part of Djokovic’s closing schedule for 2026. After Beijing, the Shanghai Masters is also part of the broader calendar, giving Djokovic another opportunity to accumulate ranking points and matches.

Djokovic Returns to a Tournament He Has Dominated

The contrast between Djokovic’s current ranking position and his historical record in Beijing adds another layer to the story.

He will arrive at the China Open with a reputation built on six titles and 29 victories. At the same time, he will face a field containing players who were not established on the tour when he last competed in Beijing.

That makes the 2026 tournament a meeting point between Djokovic’s extraordinary history and the current ATP landscape.

His previous Beijing campaigns also demonstrate how comfortable he has been at the venue.

The National Tennis Centre has hosted some of the biggest matches of Djokovic’s China Open career. His six titles included victories over several prominent players, with Nadal appearing twice as the losing finalist. YYahoo Sports+1

Now, Djokovic will return to the same tournament under very different circumstances.

What Djokovic Said About Returning to Beijing

Djokovic’s message focused heavily on his relationship with the tournament and Chinese fans.

He expressed happiness about returning after many years and described the National Tennis Centre as one of the nicest venues in tennis. He also referred to the memories and success he experienced there and thanked Chinese fans for their continued support. YYahoo Sports+1

That message is significant because the decision to return is not simply about ranking points.

Djokovic has previously enjoyed an unusually strong connection with the China Open. His six titles and unbeaten record have made Beijing one of the most successful tournament locations of his career.

His return therefore has both competitive and historical importance.

China Open 2026 Field Adds Another Challenge

Djokovic will not have an easy route through the tournament.

The field is expected to include several major names, including Sinner and Zverev. Sinner enters as the defending champion after winning the 2025 edition, while Zverev arrives as the 2026 US Open champion. YYahoo Sports+1

Other prominent players are also expected to compete.

That creates the possibility of high-profile matchups from the early rounds onward, depending on the eventual draw.

For Djokovic, the tournament will provide an opportunity to measure his level against some of the players currently defining men’s tennis.

A Chance to Rebuild Momentum

The timing of the Novak Djokovic China Open return is therefore important.

A successful tournament would give Djokovic additional matches and ranking points during the Asian swing. It would also allow him to compete at a venue where his historical record is unmatched.

However, the tournament will not erase the circumstances surrounding his recent results.

Djokovic’s first-round US Open defeat remains part of the context for his return. His ranking has also moved outside the top 10, according to recent reports. RReuters+1

That makes every tournament increasingly important as the 2026 season moves toward its final stages.

Beijing provides an especially interesting setting because Djokovic already knows what it takes to succeed there.

Djokovic’s Next Chapter Begins in Beijing

The 11-year gap between Djokovic’s China Open appearances is remarkable by itself.

Much has changed in men’s tennis since he last lifted the Beijing trophy in 2015. Several generations of players have emerged, while Djokovic has continued to add major achievements to his career.

His return will now place him in a tournament where his record remains perfect.

The statistics are clear: six appearances, six titles and 29 victories without a defeat. TTelegraf.rs+1

Whether Djokovic can extend those numbers will be determined on court.

For now, the 24-time Grand Slam champion has made his decision clear. He is returning to Beijing, and the China Open will be his next major opportunity to compete after his early US Open exit.

The Novak Djokovic China Open return is therefore one of the most closely watched stories heading into the Asian swing of the 2026 ATP season.

After 11 years away, Djokovic is going back to a tournament he has never lost.

And Beijing will once again provide the setting for another chapter of his remarkable tennis career.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Player: Novak Djokovic
• Tournament: China Open
• Location: Beijing, China
• Return: First appearance since 2015
• China Open titles: 6
• China Open record: 29 wins, 0 losses
• Last China Open appearance: 2015
• Last Beijing final: Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal
• 2026 US Open: First-round defeat to Mariano Navone
• Current ranking reported after US Open: No. 12
• 2025 China Open champion: Jannik Sinner
• 2026 China Open dates: September 30–October 6

Sources and Further Reading

Primary reporting for this article was based on the Yahoo Sports report and cross-checked against Reuters and additional contemporary tournament coverage. YYahoo Sports+2

Suggested external links:

• Yahoo Sports source article
• Reuters coverage of Djokovic’s China Open return
• Tennis365 coverage of Djokovic’s Beijing return

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