Djokovic Claims 7th China Open Title After De Minaur Retires
Novak Djokovic secures his 102nd career title after Alex de Minaur retires during the China Open final in Beijing.
Serbian tennis legend Novak Djokovic has once again asserted his dominance on the hard courts of Beijing, capturing a record-extending seventh China Open title. The former world number one secured his 102nd career tour-level trophy on Tuesday after his opponent, Alex de Minaur, was forced to retire during the second set.
A Match Cut Short by Injury
The final began as a high-stakes battle, with Djokovic narrowly clinching the first set in a tightly contested tiebreak, winning 7-6(3). However, the momentum shifted as physical struggles began to plague the Australian player. Both competitors required medical timeouts during the match, but the situation worsened for de Minaur, who suffered from groin issues.
After managing to win the opening game of the second set, de Minaur was unable to continue and officially retired from the match. This victory marks a significant milestone for the 39-year-old Serbian, who maintains a staggering, undefeated record of 34-0 in Beijing according to the ATP Win-Loss Index.
Chasing History and Federer's Record
With this 102nd title, Djokovic is now standing on the precipice of history. He is just one trophy away from equaling the 103 tour-level titles held by his former rival, Roger Federer, for the second-most titles in the Open era. Only Jimmy Connors remains ahead of them with 109 titles.
This tournament victory is particularly meaningful as it marks Djokovic's first appearance in Beijing since 2015. His path to the trophy was anything but easy; he had to navigate a thrilling quarterfinal against Alexander Zverev and witnessed a dramatic semifinal where Daniil Medvedev was defaulted after a ball struck a spectator.
Djokovic Reflects on a Challenging Season
Speaking during the trophy ceremony, Djokovic expressed a mix of pride and solemnity regarding the manner in which the final concluded. He noted that while he had visualised himself lifting the trophy in Beijing—a city where he has never lost—the reality of his recent struggles was ever-present.
"It has been 11 years since I last played here. I always have high expectations of myself and always want to visualise myself with the trophy, particularly here in Beijing, a place where I have never lost. But I was also aware that reality is a little bit different these days," Djokovic said.
The Serbian icon admitted that the current year has been a test of his resilience. He highlighted the physical and health hurdles he has faced, noting that his performance this week served as proof that he can still compete at the highest level when his body allows.
A Boost for the ATP Finals Race
Djokovic's triumph is a historic feat of longevity, making him the first player in the Open era to win a tour-level title for 21 consecutive seasons. Beyond the historical statistics, the win provides a massive boost to his mathematical chances of qualifying for the ATP Finals, as he climbs to ninth in the ATP Race to Turin.
Despite the celebration, the champion remained respectful of his opponent's situation. "It is a bit of a strange feeling, to be honest," he admitted. "I want to celebrate, because I have played one of the best weeks in the last couple of years. At the same time, he [De Minaur] retired at the beginning of the second, so it does not feel right to jump around and be joyful. But deep inside, I am very proud of this achievement."