Novak Djokovic won a record-extending seventh China Open title on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, after Alex de Minaur retired injured from the final in Beijing. The result gave the Serbian the 102nd tour-level singles title of his career.
How the Beijing Final Ended
The final was a tight contest before it ended early. The first set lasted more than an hour, and both players needed medical timeouts before the second set began. De Minaur then retired with an injury, handing Djokovic the trophy.
At the trophy ceremony, Djokovic spoke about his connection to the event. I always want to visualize myself with the trophy, particularly here in Beijing,
he said.
Djokovic’s Road to the Final
Djokovic arrived in Beijing as the sixth seed and opened his campaign on September 30 with a win over Nuno Borges, 6-3, 7-6(2). The tournament was an ATP 500 event played on outdoor hard courts at the National Tennis Center, and it ran from September 30 to October 6.
He later rallied past Alexander Zverev in a quarterfinal to reach the last four, where his semifinal ended in unusual circumstances.
Medvedev Disqualified in the Semifinal
Daniil Medvedev was disqualified from his semifinal against Djokovic on Monday, October 5, after a ball he hit struck a spectator in the front row. Djokovic was serving for the match at 7-5, 5-3 when it happened.
According to reports, the ball bounced off the advertising boards back toward Medvedev after a Djokovic volley winner, and he hit it into the stands. Medvedev said the incident was an accident. It was 100% an accident,
he said.
Djokovic said he was shocked and hoped the fan was not badly hurt. He also said he felt sorry for Medvedev, noting that he was disqualified from the 2020 US Open after accidentally hitting a line judge with a ball.
De Minaur Also Advanced Through a Retirement
The other semifinal ended early as well. Hubert Hurkacz retired with an adductor injury while trailing Alex de Minaur 6-4, 3-2, sending the Australian into the final.
A Return to Beijing
The title came on Djokovic’s return to the tournament after an 11-year absence. Beijing remains a perfect record for him, and the trophy extends his own record for China Open singles titles to seven.
What It Means
The win adds another title to Djokovic’s 2026 season and pushes his career tally of tour-level singles titles to 102. For De Minaur, reaching the final of an ATP 500 event was a strong week that ended with an injury.
For more recent sports coverage, read our reports on the opening of the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya and the VAR error admitted after Man City’s win at Man United.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many China Open titles has Novak Djokovic won?
Djokovic has won seven China Open singles titles, a record for the tournament. His seventh came on October 6, 2026.
Who did Djokovic beat in the 2026 China Open final?
He beat Australia’s Alex de Minaur, who retired injured during the final.
Why was Daniil Medvedev disqualified in Beijing?
Medvedev was disqualified from his semifinal against Djokovic after hitting a ball into the stands that struck a spectator in the front row.
Which Djokovic title was this?
It was the 102nd tour-level singles title of his career.
What level of tournament is the China Open?
The men’s event in Beijing is an ATP 500 tournament, played on outdoor hard courts at the National Tennis Center.
