Djokovic Reveals 'Big Struggle' Behind Beijing Comeback and Turin Hopes

Key points

• Djokovic defeated Yunchaokete Bu 4-6, 7-6, 6-2 in Beijing, maintaining a 31-0 record at the China Open.
• The Serbian disclosed that his physical issues are health-related rather than stamina-based, though he refused to specify the condition.
• Djokovic is currently 11th in the ATP Race to Turin, 630 points behind Daniil Medvedev, who holds the final qualification spot.
• A potential quarter-final match against Alexander Zverev is set, with Djokovic leading the head-to-head series 9-5.
• Djokovic confirmed he plans to play the ATP Finals in Turin if he secures a qualifying spot, reversing his absence in 2024 and 2025.

Background

Djokovic’s physical struggles have been a recurring theme in 2026, following a medical timeout during his first-round win against Nuno Borges on September 30. This marks his first China Open appearance since 2015, when he won his sixth title in Beijing. The tournament is a crucial step for Djokovic to close the points gap for the ATP Finals, which begins on November 15.

How outlets are covering it

Tennishead and Sky Sports emphasized Djokovic’s candid admission that his issues are health-related, not stamina, noting his relief at feeling 'fresher' in the third set. The ATP Tour highlighted the dramatic nature of the match, noting Djokovic tied Rafael Nadal’s record for the best start to an event in the Open Era. While all sources confirmed the 31-0 Beijing record, Tennishead focused on the uncertainty of his Shanghai plans, whereas the ATP Tour detailed the broader tournament context, including Medvedev’s five-match winning streak.

Why it matters

Djokovic’s health status is critical for his chances at the ATP Finals, where he has won a record seven titles. His ability to overcome physical limitations in Beijing suggests he may still compete at the highest level, but his current ranking gap means he must perform well in upcoming tournaments to secure a spot in Turin.

What to watch

Djokovic will face Alexander Zverev in the quarter-finals if the German defeats Juncheng Shang. The ATP Finals begin on November 15, and Djokovic must close a 630-point gap to qualify. He will also decide whether to play in Shanghai after assessing his physical condition in Beijing.