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Novak Djokovic latest news today: Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic is preparing to return to competitive action at the China Open in Beijing on September 30, 2026. The 24-time Grand Slam champion has not played since his first-round defeat to Mariano Navone at the US Open and is now looking to regain match rhythm at a tournament where he has enjoyed considerable success.
Novak Djokovic China Open Comeback
Djokovic is scheduled to begin his China Open campaign against Portugal’s Nuno Borges. The tournament is being held in Beijing from September 30 to October 6 and is an ATP 500 event. Djokovic’s official website lists him as the No. 6 seed for the tournament.
The return to Beijing is significant because Djokovic has not competed at the China Open for 11 years. He has previously won the tournament six times, in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. His official tournament record shows an unbeaten run at the Beijing ATP event.
Novak Djokovic Latest Headlines
- Novak Djokovic is returning to competitive tennis at the China Open.
- He is scheduled to face Nuno Borges in the opening round.
- Djokovic has won the Beijing tournament six times.
- The Serbian last competed at the 2026 US Open.
- Mariano Navone defeated Djokovic in the US Open first round.
- Djokovic has recently moved outside the ATP top 10.
- The Serbian continues to hold the record for 24 men’s Grand Slam singles titles.
- He is targeting another major title during the 2026 season.
Djokovic Gives Fitness Update
Ahead of his Beijing comeback, Djokovic said he was encouraged by how his body had responded during his preparation. Reuters reported that the Serbian was feeling positive before returning to tournament competition after his difficult US Open experience.
His US Open campaign ended in the first round against Argentina’s Mariano Navone. Djokovic lost the five-set match after experiencing physical difficulties during the contest. The defeat ended his attempt to continue his pursuit of a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows.
The China Open therefore represents an opportunity for Djokovic to return to competitive tennis and assess his form against another ATP-level opponent.
Djokovic Ranking Update
Another major Novak Djokovic news development is his recent movement down the ATP rankings.
Following his early US Open exit, Djokovic dropped outside the world’s top 10. Reports said he fell from fifth to 12th in the rankings after the tournament, marking a notable change after many years among the leading players.
The change also ended a remarkable period in men’s tennis. For the first time since October 2002, none of Djokovic, Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal appeared in the ATP top 10. Federer and Nadal have already retired from professional tennis.
Djokovic has subsequently been listed at No. 11 on his official website ahead of the China Open.
Djokovic’s 2026 Grand Slam Season
Djokovic has continued to compete at the biggest tournaments during 2026.
At the Australian Open, he reached the final before losing to Carlos Alcaraz. Alcaraz won the match in four sets, meaning Djokovic had to continue his wait for a 25th Grand Slam title.
At the French Open, Djokovic reached the third round before losing to Brazil’s Joao Fonseca. At Wimbledon, he advanced to the semifinals, where Jannik Sinner defeated him in straight sets.
His US Open campaign then ended in the opening round against Navone.
Novak Djokovic and Indian Tennis Fans
Djokovic continues to attract considerable attention among Indian sports fans. Former Indian tennis star Sania Mirza recently spoke positively about the Serbian’s career and said she hoped he could add another Grand Slam title to his record. Djokovic currently holds the men’s record with 24 Grand Slam singles championships.
Djokovic has also previously spoken about his admiration for Indian cricket star Virat Kohli, saying he would like to play cricket and tennis with him.
These connections have helped maintain strong interest in Djokovic among Indian sports audiences, making his China Open return an important tennis story for readers following international sports.
What Comes Next for Djokovic?
The immediate focus is the China Open. Djokovic’s opening match against Nuno Borges will be his first competitive appearance since the US Open.
The Beijing tournament gives him an opportunity to gain match practice before the final part of the 2026 ATP season. His performance will also be closely followed because of his recent ranking movement and his continuing pursuit of another Grand Slam championship.
Djokovic has already confirmed his participation in the Six Kings Slam exhibition tournament in Saudi Arabia later in 2026, according to his official website.
