"History of my results on the Chinese soil has been incredible" - Confidence flowing through Novak Djokovic ahead of China Open return

Novak Djokovic has competed in the China Open six times and has left the champion on each occasion. He returns for the first time since 2015 with a lot of questions surrounding him ahead of a first venture on court since the first round US Open defeat.

Speaking in his press conference ahead of the tournament, the Serbian seemed confident about his chances in the Beijing capital while stating his happiness in returning after so many years away.

“It’s been a while,” he admitted. “11 years has passed since I played here the last. I have great record here. Always enjoyed playing in Beijing – in China in general, particularly here in Beijing. Great support. Great atmosphere. Practice sessions and matches, there’s a lot of love, a lot of support from Chinese tennis fans. I always look forward to that.

“Eventually I was going to come back to Beijing. I’m glad that it has happened this year. I came here few days early to try to get some practice sets and some hours spent on the court before I start to play.”

He is feeling good and hopeful of continuing his immaculate form in this specific tournament. “As I said, I always had great memories, very positive feelings on the court. Hopefully that can repeat itself and I can have a great tournament.”

Fitness and health are the big discussions surrounding the 24-time Grand Slam champion. At 39, this has been a prominent talking point over the last few years. For the time being, there are no problems for Djokovic to be concerned about.

“Feeling good so far. Let’s see. Obviously it’s completely different when you’re playing an official match comparing to the practice sets or practice sessions. But so far so good. As I said, I was looking forward to come to China, as I always have. My record speaks for itself on the Chinese soil. Knowing that, it also brings this dimension of confidence that I really need. Yeah, overall it’s been really good so far with the body, the way I’m feeling and playing.”

It may be surprising for some that Djokovic is competing after all the events he has missed throughout the year, prioritising the Grand Slam tournaments. Djokovic noted that he only wanted to play in tournaments that he enjoys.

“Well, at this stage of my career it’s really also about the tournaments where I enjoy to play, where I had the success in the past, where I feel like I’m also welcomed by the fans in a positive light, in a positive way. As I said, history of my results on the Chinese soil has been incredible. I haven’t played here 11 years. I was trying to make it work in the past years with the schedule, but the schedule worked in such way where I played only Shanghai. This year Beijing was on the priority list. I’m really glad I’m here.”

Djokovic may have said that he is picking tournaments that he is fond of, but that winning feeling is still very much there. “Well, it’s never just to enjoy,” he confirmed. “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. 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.”

Overall, he has won 11 ATP titles in China. Six in the China Open, four at the Shanghai Masters and the 2008 ATP Finals held in Shanghai. Over the years, there have been so many positives.

Djokovic singled out the adoring fans he is greeted with in this part of the world. “Other than winning, the best memories would be definitely my fans, the way they greet me, the way they support me, the way they show me love, how passionate they are about tennis. My NoleFam here in China has been incredible, both Beijing and Shanghai, over the years. They definitely are the highlight and something I always take away anywhere I go in the world with me.”

Djokovic will face off against Nuno Borges in the first round of the 2026 China Open. Jannik Sinner withdrew from the tournament with a persistent knee injury, but the likes of Alexander Zverev, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Flavio Cobolli, Alex de Minaur, Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Bublik and Jakub Mensik all feature. In fact, if the results are to go the way intended, Djokovic could clash against Zverev in the quarter-finals.