Novak Djokovic Shares Fitness Update Before China Open Return
Novak Djokovic is preparing for his first match at the China Open, marking his return to competition since a surprising early exit at the US Open. The Serbian star, seeded sixth in Beijing, looks forward to the tournament after an unexpected loss to Mariano Navone in the opening round of the US Open at the end of August.
Aside from singles, Djokovic also played one mixed doubles match with WTA standout Aryna Sabalenka during the US Open. Now he is set to face Nuno Borges in his opener at the ATP 500 event, which runs simultaneously with the Japan Open and features top players like Alexander Zverev and Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Positive Fitness Report from Djokovic
Speaking to reporters in Beijing, Djokovic was asked about his physical condition and how he has been managing since the shock defeat in New York. He responded,
"Yeah, feeling good so far. Let's see. Obviously it's completely different when you're playing an official match compared to practice sets or sessions. But so far, so good."
He added that coming back to China always brings confidence, given his past success on this court and the support from fans. His current physical state and level of play have been promising in training.
Djokovic's Impressive China Open Record
Djokovic's claim about confidence is well-founded. He holds a remarkable 29-0 record in Beijing, where he has won the title six times. Although he hasn’t played there since 2015, he expressed happiness at finally returning.
About the importance of the tournament, Djokovic said,
"At this stage of my career, it's about tournaments I enjoy, where I've had success and feel welcomed by fans in a positive way. My history in China has been incredible. I hadn't played here for 11 years because scheduling only allowed Shanghai in recent years. This year, Beijing was a priority, and I'm really glad to be here."
Ranking and Recent Performance
The former world number one has climbed one spot to 11th in the ATP rankings ahead of the China Open. His 2026 season record stands at 14 wins and 7 losses. Djokovic has faced Borges once before, beating him in the 2025 Athens quarterfinals en route to winning the title.
- China Open Seed: 6
- Upcoming Opponent: Nuno Borges
- ATP Ranking: 11th
- 2026 Win-Loss Record: 14-7
- China Open Record: 29-0
- China Open Titles: 6
