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Djokovic tries to reboot in China after 11-year absence
Reuters • September 17th, 2026 3:55 pm
After being down and out in New York, Novak Djokovic will return to action in the China Open | Photo: AP
Novak Djokovic is to return to the China Open after an 11-year absence, trying to rebuild momentum after slipping to world No. 12 and suffering a shock first-round exit at the US Open.
The 39-year-old Serb is returning to the ATP 500 event in Beijing, where he boasts a perfect record and a tournament-best six titles.
The 24-time grand slam champ's most recent China Open triumph came in 2015, the last year he competed at the tournament and his decision to return follows his first-round loss at the US Open to unseeded Argentine Mariano Navone in five sets.
Novak Djokovic won the title the last time he was at the China Open in 2015 | Photo: AP
The four-times champion in New York vomited midway through the match and was hampered by back and shoulder issues that affected his serve late on.
It was the first time Djokovic had lost in the opening round of a grand slam since the 2006 Australian Open and raised more questions about how long he might continue competing at the top level.
"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," the former world No. 1 said on social media.
The men's event runs from September 30 to October 6, but title holder, world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, won't be there as he's currently out with a knee injury.
