The 39-year-old is scheduled to face Portugal’s Nuno Borges in the opening round in Beijing on Wednesday, 30 September, as he looks to regain momentum following a difficult outing in New York.
Djokovic has not competed since losing to Argentina’s Mariano Navone on 30 August. During that match, the former world number one struggled with shoulder and back problems and vomited midway through the contest.
Speaking ahead of his return, Djokovic said he was pleased with how his body had responded during preparations.
“Yeah, feeling good so far,” Djokovic said on Monday.
“Obviously it’s completely different when you’re playing an official match compared to practice sets or practice sessions. But so far so good.”
Djokovic returns to a familiar hunting ground
The China Open represents a welcome return to a tournament where Djokovic has enjoyed remarkable success.
The Serbian has won the Beijing title six times, lifting the trophy in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. He has also won all 29 of his matches at the ATP 500 tournament, giving him a perfect record in the Chinese capital.
His last appearance in Beijing came in 2015, when he defeated Rafael Nadal in the final.
Djokovic said his history at the tournament had given him additional confidence ahead of his comeback.
“My record speaks for itself on Chinese soil,” he said. “Knowing that, it also brings this dimension of confidence that I really need.”
The 24-time major champion added that he had been eager to return to China, where he has enjoyed strong support from fans.
US Open defeat provides motivation for comeback
Djokovic’s return comes after an unexpected early exit at the US Open, where Navone defeated him in the first round.
The Serbian had entered the tournament seeking to add another major title to his record, but physical difficulties disrupted his performance.
Now ranked world number 11, Djokovic will aim to put those problems behind him as he resumes his season in Beijing.
The veteran has become increasingly selective with his tournament schedule in recent years, prioritising events where he feels comfortable and has enjoyed success.
“At this stage of my career it’s really also about the tournaments where I enjoy to play, where I’ve 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,” he said.
Djokovic explained that Beijing had been on his priority list for 2026, having been unable to make the tournament fit his schedule in previous years.
Djokovic eyes another deep run
The China Open offers Djokovic an opportunity to rebuild his confidence and match fitness ahead of the remaining tournaments on the calendar.
His opening-round meeting with Borges will be his first competitive test since the US Open defeat. Although his previous record in Beijing is outstanding, Djokovic acknowledged that match conditions would provide a different challenge from practice.
The Serbian’s immediate focus will be on getting through his opening match and assessing how his body responds to the demands of competition.
With six titles and a 29-match unbeaten record at the event, Djokovic returns to one of his most successful tournaments hoping to begin the next chapter of his season on a positive note.
Source: Al Jazeera, reporting by Reuters, published 29 September 2026.