Novak Djokovic is set to begin his campaign in the ATP 500 tournament in Beijing, marking his return to the Chinese capital for the first time since 2015. The Serbian tennis star, who has a perfect record at the China Open with 29 wins and no losses, will face Portugal's Nuno Borges in his opening match.
Djokovic's dominance in Beijing is well-documented, having won the tournament six times between 2009 and 2015. Despite his recent mixed results on the ATP Tour, the world number one remains a formidable force, and his return to one of his most successful venues adds intrigue to the tournament.
In the lead-up to the match, Djokovic reiterated his competitive spirit. "It's never just about enjoying... I also want to win. That’s really the main motivation: to compete and beat the player across the net from me," he said.
This year, Djokovic reached the final at the Australian Open but experienced a surprising first-round exit at the US Open against Argentina's Mariano Navone. At 39 years old, he acknowledges that physical condition can play a role, but his desire to compete remains strong.
Djokovic also highlighted his connection with Chinese fans, describing the support he receives as special. "There's a lot of love, a lot of support from Chinese tennis fans. I always look forward to that," he said.
The match against Borges represents Djokovic's return to Beijing after an 11-year absence. The Serbian expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play in a city where he has experienced significant success, emphasizing the enjoyment he finds in competing there.
The Djokovic-Borges match is scheduled for Saturday, September 30, 2026, as the last match on the Court Lotus center, not before 19:00 local time (13:00 Spanish mainland time). In Spain, the match will be broadcast on Movistar + and TennisTV.