Djokovic takes his seventh Beijing title after de Minaur retires injured

A tight first set promised a long afternoon. Instead, the China Open final ended with concern for Alex de Minaur, who could not continue after returning to court for the second set.

Novak Djokovic won the Beijing title on October 6 after the Australian retired through injury. Djokovic had taken the opening set 7–6(3), while de Minaur led the second set 1–0 when play stopped. It was a retirement, not a completed two-set victory.

Reuters reported that de Minaur had a groin injury. He left the court for a medical timeout after the first set and returned with heavy strapping on his left thigh. He managed to win the next game, but the match could go no further.

A familiar city, a long-awaited win

For Djokovic, the result delivered a seventh Beijing trophy and the 102nd title of his career. It was also his first title of 2026, according to his official match report. Even for a player with that enormous collection, the wait had been significant.

The opening set took 67 minutes. Both players faced pressure on serve before Djokovic won the tie-break. His official account says both received medical attention after the set, an indication of how physically demanding the contest had become.

Djokovic’s Beijing record now stands at 34 wins and no defeats. His previous appearance at the tournament had been in 2015. Returning after such a long gap and keeping that record intact adds another unusual chapter to his career.

Forbes, in a report carried by Yahoo Sports, placed his 102 titles behind Roger Federer’s 103 and Jimmy Connors’ 109. Those numbers explain why another ordinary-looking tournament trophy can carry a much bigger historical meaning.

Two very different endings

Djokovic’s route to the final had also ended unexpectedly. Daniil Medvedev was disqualified in their semi-final after hitting a spectator with a ball. De Minaur’s retirement was a different situation: an injury prevented him from finishing the match.

For fans, it is worth keeping those circumstances clear. The trophy belongs to Djokovic, but the final did not end with the usual last rally, handshake and celebration after match point. De Minaur’s ability to continue was the deciding issue.

At 39, Djokovic has another title to take into the next part of the season. His official report lists Shanghai as his next stop. Beijing has strengthened his record, while leaving supporters of both players hoping their next meeting can reach a proper finish.