Novak Djokovic Battles Health Issues in Gritty China Open

Novak Djokovic extended his perfect China Open record to 31-0 with a hard-fought comeback win on Friday, October 2, but the victory was overshadowed by the 39-year-old's ongoing physical struggles. The 24-time Grand Slam champion needed a medical timeout and over two and a half hours to defeat Chinese wildcard Bu Yunchaokete 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-2 in a tense second-round match in Beijing.

A season defined by physical struggle

Djokovic was frank about his difficulties after the match. He described his entire 2026 season as a "big, big struggle," directly linked to an undisclosed health problem rather than simple stamina. "I don't want to go into details because then it's going to sound like I'm whining about something or looking for excuses," Djokovic told reporters. The issue has been a persistent theme, causing him to vomit during a shocking first-round loss at the US Open and requiring a medical timeout for his torso during this China Open battle. He has also contended with back and shoulder problems that have affected his serve.

Surviving a major scare in Beijing

The match against world No. 104 Bu was far from straightforward. The pumped-up local hope frustrated Djokovic for over two hours, pushing him across the baseline and taking the first set. After giving back a break in the second set, Djokovic required treatment. He held his nerve to dominate the tiebreak, however, forcing a decider where his class ultimately told. "I had to play very well and serve well in the right moments," Djokovic said. "He was so solid and I struggled to really find holes in his game." The win sets up a quarter-final against either top seed Alexander Zverev or Chinese wildcard Shang Juncheng.

Andy Murray backs Djokovic's long-term Olympic goal

Despite the current challenges, Djokovic's ambition remains undimmed. He has previously stated his intent to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, when he would be 41. His former coach and rival, Andy Murray, believes that goal is positive for the sport. "He's obviously said that I think he wants to play through until the Olympics in LA, which is obviously great for tennis if he wants to keep going," Murray told reporters, the only man to win back-to-back Olympic singles golds, added he "wouldn't put it past him" to match that feat.

The quest for momentum in a disrupted year

This tournament marks Djokovic's return to the China Open after an 11-year absence, a clear attempt to rebuild rhythm. Currently ranked 11th, he has fallen outside the top 10 and is seeking a strong finish to a year disrupted by health. The resilient win in Beijing, his 31st in a row at the event, is a step in that direction. He will need to maintain that level as the competition gets tougher, starting with his next match in the Chinese capital.

• Novak Djokovic fought back from a set down to beat world No. 104 Bu Yunchaokete 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-2 on October 2.
• The 39-year-old Serb called his 2026 season a "big, big struggle" due to a health issue, requiring a medical timeout during the match.
• His perfect record at the China Open now stands at 31 consecutive victories.
• Andy Murray supports Djokovic's plan to play until the 2028 LA Olympics, calling it "great for tennis."