Novak Djokovic to return to ATP’s China Open on Sky Sports after 11-year absence from event | Tennis News | Sky Sports
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Novak Djokovic announces he will return to ATP Tour’s China Open for first time since 2015 between September 30-October 6, live on Sky Sports; Decision comes following shock US Open first-round exit; watch Laver Cup at O2 in London from 25-27 September live on Sky Sports
Wednesday 16 September 2026 19:37, UK
Novak Djokovic has announced he will return to the China Open for the first time in 11 years
Novak Djokovic has confirmed he will compete at the China Open this year, which runs from September 30-October 6 live on Sky Sports, marking a return to the event following an 11-year absence.
The 39-year-old recently dropped as low as No 12 in the world rankings following a shock first-round defeat to Argentina’s Mariano Navone at the US Open.
That defeat followed on from a third-round exit in May at the French Open – two underwhelming Grand Slam displays coming either side of a run to the semi-finals at Wimbledon, where he was well beaten in straight sets by eventual champion Jannik Sinner.
Djokovic has not won a Grand Slam title since 2023, going three full calendar years without success.
Djokovic’s decision comes after a shock first-round exit at the US Open – his first at a Grand Slam since 2006
Returning to the ATP 500 event in Beijing, Djokovic is a six-time winner having last competed there in 2015. Sinner won the title last year, but is currently out with a knee injury.
Defeat to Navone in New York marked the first time Djokovic had lost an opening round contest at a Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open.
“I am excited to come back and perform in front of all of you at the National Tennis Centre – one of the nicest venues we have in tennis,” Djokovic said on an Instagram story on Wednesday.
Raducanu withdraws from China Open in latest injury setback
Also on Wednesday, news came that Britain’s Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from this month’s China Open and will not return to action until October at the earliest.
Raducanu has not played since losing the Queen’s Club final in June, missing Wimbledon and the US Open due to a stress fracture in her leg.
The 23-year-old has returned to training after she shared video footage last week of herself in London’s National Tennis Centre.
Raducanu could return at the Wuhan Open on October 12, live on Sky Sports.
Stream tennis with no contract on NOW and the Sky Sports App. You can also watch the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from 25-27 September live on Sky Sports.