Novak Djokovic will be in action this week for the first time since his shocking early exit at the US Open.
In the first round at Flushing Meadows, Djokovic lost to world number 49 Mariano Navone, in a match where he looked physically spent. The Serb vomited on multiple occasions while struggling to move around the court in the clash with the Argentine, who triumphed in five sets over four hours and 36 minutes.
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Djokovic is now in Beijing to play in the ATP 500 event, where he holds an incredible record of 29 wins and zero losses, with six titles captured. Though he has made clear that major tournaments are his priority, the 39-year-old is still motivated to compete below Grand Slam level.
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Novak Djokovic speaks ahead of the 2026 China Open in Beijing
Asked in his pre-tournament press conference why he is playing at the China Open, Djokovic replied: “It’s never just to enjoy. I could play exhibitions just to enjoy the crowd. I’m playing a professional tournament because I also want to win.
“That’s actually the primary motivation, is always trying to compete and win against the guy across the net on a given day, try to get as far as you can in a tournament. Of course, if you can also compete in a place where you feel well in terms of conditions, in terms of the crowd support, in terms of the atmosphere, then of course it all adds up to even a better performance.
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“I have always expectations for myself. I think going through a career that I had, I can’t satisfy myself with opening rounds of a tournament and be happy with that. I’m always aiming for the last stages of a tournament, any tournament I play on.
“That’s no different now, and it will always be the same as long as I’m competing on the highest level.”
Djokovic’s last appearance at the China Open came in 2015, when he beat Rafael Nadal in the final to win the tournament for the fourth year in a row.
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Novak Djokovic explains how he deals with losses at this point in his career
As it stands, Djokovic is in danger of going an entire season without winning a title for the first time since 2005. He has made just one final this year at the Australian Open, where he was denied a 25th Grand Slam title by Carlos Alcaraz.
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Djokovic has suffered seven defeats in 2026, but he takes a positive approach to how he views losses. “They’re also opportunities to grow, to learn something new from that experience, and try to have takeaways that you can use for an improvement in whatever shape or form that improvement comes in for you as a person or a player in the next period after that,” said the legend.
“I try to have that kind of mentality, nurture that kind of mentality. Obviously, when you’re out there, you’re a warrior, you’re a competitor. You don’t want to lose. You want to win. You try to do everything you possibly can. If the player is better, then that’s okay. You move on.
“The good thing about tennis is there’s always a new opportunity. Practically every week there’s a tournament. So the show must go on. That kind of mentality. You turn the next page, you reset, and you give your best at the next tournament.”
Djokovic’s first-round opponent at the China Open is Portuguese player Nuno Borges.
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