Novak Djokovic return date confirmed after US Open shocker
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Djokovic has dropped outside the top 10 after his first-round defeat at US Open
Twenty-four-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic has had one of his worst Grand Slam seasons this year, which ended with his shocking opening-round defeat to Mariano Navone at the 2026 US Open.
Djokovic, 39, cited his deteriorating physical condition after the defeat, prompting fresh questions over his future in the sport.
Over the past few years, Djokovic has followed a pattern of playing the Shanghai Masters upon the conclusion of the US Open.
He has not featured in too many events during the Asian swing, and hence his decision to compete in Beijing comes across as a pleasant surprise.
Also Read: Novak Djokovic drops to World No. 12 in latest ATP rankings after US Open
The ATP China Open is a 500-level tournament, which is set to begin from September 30.
Djokovic holds one of the most staggering records at this competition. Having played six times here, he has never lost a single match, clinching the title on all six occasions.
The Serbian’s last appearance in Beijing was way back in 2015, when he defeated Rafael Nadal in straight sets.
The 39-year-old confirmed his participation in the 2026 edition by posting a story on Instagram, saying: “I’m very happy to announce that I’m coming back after many years to play in Beijing at the China Open”.
Djokovic joins a stacked field in Beijing, which is led by the World No. 1 and reigning champion Jannik Sinner. The Italian is set to mark his comeback after withdrawing from the entire North American hard-court swing as well as the US Open.
Also in action will be recently crowned US Open winner Alexander Zverev, with the likes of Felix Auger-Aliassime, Daniil Medvedev, Flavio Cobolli, Alex de Minaur and Jakub Mensik rounding up the top eight.
Djokovic will hope to preserve his tremendous legacy at the event, but is also in need of some ranking points. Having failed to defend his semi-final points in New York, the Serbian has dropped out of the ATP top-10 for the first time since 2018.
He is currently ranked No. 12 in the world, and will want to return to the top-8 to improve his chances at Grand Slams in 2027. It remains to be seen if Djokovic is at his best physically, because his record in non-Grand Slam events stands at a modest 2-3 this year.
Novak Djokovic’s record at China Open
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| Year | Result | Final |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Champion | def. Marin Cilic, 6-2, 7-6 |
| 2010 | Champion | def. David Ferrer, 6-2, 6-4 |
| 2012 | Champion | def. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, 7-6, 6-2 |
| 2013 | Champion | def. Rafael Nadal, 6-3, 6-4 |
| 2014 | Champion | def. Tomas Berdych, 6-0, 6-2 |
| 2015 | Champion | def. Rafael Nadal, 6-2, 6-2 |
When will Novak Djokovic return to action after US Open 2026?
Djokovic is set to return to action in the last week of September. He will participate in the ATP 500 China Open, which begin from September 30 in Beijing.
Which event will Novak Djokovic participate in next?
Djokovic will next be in action at the 2026 China Open in Beijing from September 30.
What is Novak Djokovic’s record at the China Open?
Djokovic holds a perfect record at the China Open, with six titles in as many appearances. He is yet to lose in the ATP 500 tournament.
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