“These are the kind of moments that I still play for”: Novak Djokovic sends powerful message after Zverev win
ATP
Novak Djokovic admitted that nights like his latest China Open battle with Alexander Zverev are exactly why he continues to compete, after producing one of his strongest performances of the season in Beijing. The 39-year-old defeated the world No. 2 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a thrilling quarter-final and then reflected on what still drives him at this stage of his career.
Djokovic was forced to fight back after losing the opening set, having been broken in the first game after two double faults. Zverev remained in control for much of the set, but Djokovic gradually found his rhythm before turning the match around and eventually securing another remarkable victory at the China Open.
The Serbian also had a striking assessment of his opponent afterwards, describing Zverev as “the best player in the world” while highlighting the German's serving form. Zverev arrived in Beijing with enormous confidence and a strong run of results behind him, but Djokovic found a way to take advantage of the few opportunities that came his way.
The victory also extended Djokovic's extraordinary record at the China Open to 32-0. He has now won 32 consecutive matches at the tournament without suffering a defeat, surpassing Rafael Nadal's 31-0 start at Roland Garros for the most matches won at a single tournament before losing.
Djokovic explains what got him through the Zverev battle
Djokovic admitted that he did not make the ideal start, joking that the cold conditions meant he did not feel fully warmed up. After giving Zverev an early advantage, however, the 24-time Grand Slam champion gradually began to find his level and identified his serve-plus-one combination as one of the biggest factors in his performance.
“It was quite cold… honestly, I didn’t feel warmed up, but my fault, I gave him early break and then it was hard to come back in the first set,” Djokovic told Tennis TV after the match.
The Serbian had chances to recover earlier in the opening set, including two break points when Zverev served for it at 5-4, but failed to convert either opportunity. From the middle of the set onwards, though, Djokovic felt that his game had started to settle.
“I had a couple break points to break him back when he was serving for the set at 5-4; I didn’t use that,” the 24-time Grand Slam champion added. “But then I kind of felt already from the midway first set, I was starting to get a good rhythm, at least on my serve.”
Nole then explained the approach that allowed him to disrupt Zverev's rhythm, particularly by using his first shot after the serve to stay aggressive and change the patterns of the match.
“Serve plus one, I was trying to be aggressive and come to the net, and change up the pace, not give him the same pattern,” Djokovic said. “He’s the best player in the world at the moment, for sure, in a huge run and confidence roll. So when he’s serving the way he was serving tonight, or whatever, the whole year, it’s just a nightmare for the opponent.”
Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev after their 2025 Australian Open semifinal match.
“I’m still there”: Djokovic refuses to slow down
Despite his age and the difficulties he has faced during the 2026 season, Djokovic made clear that matches against the best players remain a major source of motivation. The Beijing quarter-final gave him the kind of competitive environment he still wants to experience, particularly in front of a large crowd.
“So I’m just glad that I kind of held my nerves, played good shots and read his serve in important moments in 5-4 in both second and third [sets]. But I think I would highlight my serve plus one, that was pretty accurate today,” he added.
The 39-year-old then offered a revealing explanation of why he continues to push himself against the younger generation. Djokovic acknowledged that the season has been difficult, but insisted that he remains capable of producing performances at the highest level.
“To be honest, these are the kind of moments that I still play for, compete for. I mean, motivation is big obviously when you’re feeling good and competing at par with the best players in the world, and in front of 15,000 people, of course,” Djokovic said.
“These are the kind of moments that define dreams of, I think, every tennis player. So yeah, it’s been a struggle this year, to be honest, for different reasons. But I’m still there, I’m still grinding, I’m still making the youngsters work for their money,” he added with a smile.
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The victory puts Djokovic into the China Open semi-finals and gives him another significant result during a season in which consistency has been difficult to find. More importantly, his reaction showed that the motivation remains intact.
For now, he sits at No. 10 in the Race and will look to keep advancing in his bid for a 102nd ATP title. Another familiar face, Daniil Medvedev, awaits him in the semi-finals. Djokovic is also looking to collect as many points as possible and fight for a place at the ATP Finals, where Medvedev currently sits eighth in the standings.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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