Is Novak Djokovic actually the best men's player in the world right now?

Novak Djokovic is once again proving that he is the real deal. His ability was never under question, but his longevity has been under scrutiny in recent times. However, a triumphant return to the China Open has showcased that he can not only compete with the best but also beat them.

There have been huge doubts surrounding the Djokovic game in recent years. His consistent streak of Grand Slam results has been wrecked in 2026, losing in the opening round of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time on over two decades. Beforehand, he also came unstuck at the first hurdle in the Cincinnati Open.

Fitness concerns were the main talking points from these two episodes, but nevertheless, his resurgence in Beijing has most certainly been one to remember. Winning a seventh title in as many appearances, this is domination off the charts. It was a record-breaking tournament for Djokovic, winning a 102nd ATP title while making it a 21st consecutive year where he takes home silverware.

In the grand scheme of things, a solitary ATP 500 title in October is not the most impressive of seasons for someone with the standards of the Serbian. However, perspective is justified in a specific case like this one. With two of his big rivals struggling with differing fitness issues and another being defeated in the Chinese capital, there is an argument that Djokovic is the best player in the world at this current moment in time.

It feels like Djokovic comes up with these incredible runs now and again at his astonishing age, blowing away everyone and hushing the doubters and critics of his ability. Ageing like fine wine, the latest edition of the China Open was another example of this in a 2026 full of ups and downs.

His run to the final of the Australian Open was staggering. He was fortunate with retirements and withdrawals, but to come through a five-set battle against the two-time reigning champion, Jannik Sinner, was immense, especially now when reminiscing about what the Italian has achieved in 2026. He would lose to Carlos Alcaraz in the final, a heavy blow with his 25th Grand Slam title still out of reach.

Injury plagued his progress, featuring at Indian Wells before early exits at the Rome Open and Roland Garros led to Wimbledon. Another unbelievable five-set showing got him back in the major semi-finals, downing Felix Auger-Aliassime on this occasion. However, Sinner got his revenge en route to defending his title. A tricky North American period was then experienced, leaving the rest of his season in huge doubt.

While Djokovic did admit his body reacted well after Wimbledon, that did not portray himself in Cincinnati or New York. The conditions got to him as he struggled badly on court against lesser opponents. The conditions were much more favourable in Beijing, and he delivered thanks to this, among other reasons. Once he overcame the early tests of Nuno Borges and Yunchaokete Bu, there was the feeling that he was growing into the tournament and would be a tough prospect for anyone.

Despite this, he was the clear second favourite when forced to tackle Alexander Zverev in the quarter-final. After going a set down, Djokovic left it late to strike in sets two and three to win the match and continue his incredible unbeaten streak. He was three points away from defeating Daniil Medvedev before a moment of madness and regret from the Russian halted that match early. The final was also cut short with an injury for Alex de Minaur at the end of the road, causing muted scenes for what should have been a much more joyous occasion.

This is the first tournament that Djokovic has defeated three top 10 players in since the 2023 ATP Finals title run. Those three should not be disregarded. Zverev has been touted as the best player in the world. Medvedev just won the Hangzhou Open title. De Minaur was playing a fabulous tournament. Djokovic saw all of them off.

He was playing some incredible tennis throughout, dictating play while getting a lot of the balls back in play as he looked to pile the pressure on his opponent. He was serving at a very high level, being broken just four times with two of them against Medvedev. This title was no fluke. The momentum heading into the Shanghai Masters has been built with another foundation to push off from as he targets even more success. His rivals have been sent another ominous warning about the level he is likely to again produce.

This question is bound to raise a lot of debate. Beforehand, the three players in the question were Sinner, Zverev and Alcaraz, all having enjoyed different seasons with success being spread out between them.

While there is an argument to say that Sinner has had the best season, he cannot be currently classed as the best player in the world because he is injured. The knee injury that has been plaguing him in these recent months is more serious than expected. The rest of his 2026 campaign is over, having won Wimbledon, five Masters 1000 titles and losing just three matches. That is impressive enough before you realise his last match played was on July 12, almost three months ago.

If he was still fit, then his class and immense consistency would likely be too much for Djokovic and anyone else to handle. His Australian Open defeat was the first time in six meetings that he won, but the most recent clash ended with a Sinner win at SW19. However, availability can be classed as the best ability, something the Italian does not have.

Moving on to Zverev, whose 2026 campaign had been a story of near misses until Roland Garros. Defeat after defeat against Sinner was a constant pain, but finally in Paris he capitalised. This was the catalyst for more great things, reaching a maiden Wimbledon final before winning the US Open title to double his Grand Slam count.

The huge caveat with Zverev is that those major titles won were on a plate for him. Granted, he still needed to win it, but either Alcaraz, Sinner or Djokovic was either not involved or exited early. When he does square off, it does not make for great reading. The last win he got came against Djokovic at the 2025 Australian Open, albeit via retirement. Before that, it was Alcaraz at the 2024 ATP Finals in the Round Robin.

It is a huge problem that he has not been able to deal with. When all four are fit and firing, the trend has been for Zverev to fall short against one of them. His encounters with Djokovic have been rarer as of late, but even in Beijing Djokovic managed to find a way to keep him at bay. When the German had seemed to turn a corner with a brilliant first set, Djokovic upped the gears and, despite a resolute serving display, struck when he could and dented the prestige of his opponent in the process.

Alcaraz has shot himself back into the discussion with his Japan Open title, although it was not an Alcaraz at his blistering best. Every match saw him dragged into some sort of battle, regularly struggling to get going in the first set. Once he got in his groove, he was fine, and that was what Jiri Lehecka experienced after losing the opening set tiebreak against the two-time champion.

When all guns blazing, it is hard to place him anywhere else rather than at the absolute top. However, he is still not at 100% after his injury layoff. Four months away from the sport can be detrimental for players, but that has not halted the 23-year-old in his stride. When comparing his title run in Japan to Djokovic's in China, there are similarities and differences. Both were in battles, but it felt like Alcaraz was his undoing. Not his fault, but the opponents he faced on paper were much weaker than what Djokovic had to deal with, leaning this contrast slightly in the favour of Djokovic.

In truth, the best player in the world debate has been blown wide open thanks to Djokovic's title run. Not just the fashion he did it in, but the instant return to form has mesmerised many tennis fans. However, one tournament does not mean he is well and truly back.

It is a tall order for him to go and win the Shanghai Masters, but even a run to the semi-finals or final will receive a whole heap of praise. Alcaraz and Zverev will be in the mix for silverware, but no Sinner opens the door slightly more for his rivals. Djokovic, a four-time champion, does not need a second invitation.

He has had the best week out of the four, but to automatically use that as a gage to put him as the best player in the world is a stretch. On his day, yes. He is most certainly up there, if not at number one in many people's eyes. This discussion could soon be altered. An early exit in Shanghai, then the conversations over his fitness and age become paramount.

Sinner is out of the conversation because of injuries. Alcaraz is only now just entering the conversation after injuries. Zverev has been in the conversation since Roland Garros, but his inability to actually beat the best will hound him until he unearths the clues behind this cunundrum. Alcaraz was not at his best when triumphing in Japan, a daunting thought for the rest of the tour.

If Djokovic keeps up the level he showcased in Beijing and other tournaments in 2026, then he has the right to sit above everyone else. With him back in the hunt to qualify for the ATP Finals, the rest of the season is set to be a hugely exciting one.