Novak Djokovic ends title drought with historic 102nd career win at China Open

Novak Djokovic has emphatically ended his title drought, winning the China Open for a seventh time to claim the 102nd trophy of his legendary career. The 39-year-old Serbian's victory on Tuesday, sealed after opponent Alex de Minaur retired injured, marks his first tournament win in nearly a year and extends his perfect record at the Beijing event to 34 consecutive victories.

A victory that means more than just a trophy

Djokovic's 7-6(3), 0-1 (ret.) win over De Minaur was not a straightforward coronation. The first set alone lasted 68 minutes, a physical battle that forced both players to take medical timeouts. De Minaur returned with strapping on his left thigh but managed only one game in the second set before shaking hands. "I always have high expectations and want to visualise myself with the trophy, but particularly here in Beijing, the place where I've never lost," Djokovic said during the ceremony. He called the win a significant milestone after a challenging year, stating this trophy "means much more than one trophy, one tournament." The triumph ensures Djokovic has now won at least one singles title for 21 consecutive years, a staggering run of consistency.

From US Open despair to Beijing revival

This victory dramatically shifts the narrative around Djokovic's season. Just over a month ago, he left the US Open in tears after a first-round exit, his earliest Grand Slam defeat in two decades. Questions about his physical readiness and potential retirement swirled. His run in Beijing, where he beat top seed Alexander Zverev and was leading Daniil Medvedev before a disqualification, has forcefully answered them. He showed that, despite visible struggles with movement and endurance, his competitive fire and skill remain undimmed. This resilience keeps alive his stated ambition of competing at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

A path cleared by opponent misfortune

Djokovic's route to the final was unusual. In the semifinal, he was leading Medvedev 7-5, 5-3 when the Russian was defaulted for accidentally hitting a ball into the stands and striking a spectator. Medvedev later apologized, calling it "100 percent an accident." Djokovic's final opponent, De Minaur, had also advanced after Hubert Hurkacz retired from their semi with an injury. While fortune played a part, Djokovic's performance was commanding. He saved 16 break points in a gruelling battle with Medvedev and edged a tight first set against De Minaur, displaying what he called his "never-die spirit."

The numbers behind an enduring legacy

Djokovic's latest achievement places him firmly among the all-time greats in pure title count. He now sits just one behind Roger Federer's 103 and seven behind Jimmy Connors' record of 109 tour-level singles titles. This win is his second final of 2026, following a runner-up finish at the Australian Open in January where he took a set off Carlos Alcaraz. The data shows a career of relentless winning.

• End of a drought: This is Djokovic's first title since November 8, 2025.
• Historic company: Only Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103) have more men's singles titles.
• Beijing dominance: He has won the China Open all seven times he has entered, never losing a match.
• Season turnaround: The win comes just weeks after a dispiriting first-round loss at the US Open.

Looking ahead, Djokovic acknowledged the physical toll of the sport but reinforced his commitment. "Tennis is quite a cruel sport," he told reporters, adding that the pressure makes it "so demanding and so special." For now, the champion has once again rewritten his own story, proving that reports of his decline were, as so often before, greatly exaggerated.