Photo Credit: Getty Images
Novak Djokovic added another milestone to his remarkable tennis career after winning his seventh China Open title when Australian opponent Alex de Minaur retired from their final because of an injury.
The Serbian superstar was leading 7-6(3), 0-1 when de Minaur was forced to withdraw after suffering a left adductor strain. The unexpected conclusion briefly confused spectators at Beijing's Diamond Court, where thousands had gathered to watch the championship match.
Among the disappointed yet excited supporters was Stan Huang, who had travelled from northeastern China specifically to see Djokovic compete in person.
Huang said he had supported the tennis star for nearly 20 years and described watching him lift the trophy as a dream come true.
Djokovic's victory marked his return to the China Open after an 11 year absence. The tournament has long been a special destination for the 24 time Grand Slam champion, who has developed an unusually strong connection with Chinese supporters.
The crowd's enthusiasm was evident throughout the tournament, with spectators regularly cheering his victories and shouting "Xiaode Jiayou", a phrase encouraging the player to keep going.
Djokovic responded to the affection by greeting fans in Mandarin during the trophy ceremony and thanking them for their support. He also said the reception made him feel as though he were playing at home.
His final three matches attracted more than 13,000 spectators each, demonstrating the significant interest surrounding his appearance.
The title was particularly meaningful after a difficult season. Djokovic had lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open final and suffered an early exit at the US Open, raising questions about his ability to continue challenging younger rivals for the sport's biggest honours.
Nevertheless, his performance in Beijing demonstrated that he remains capable of competing at the highest level.
The victory extended his record of winning at least one tour level title for 21 consecutive seasons, an Open Era record among men. It also took his career title tally to 102, just one behind Roger Federer's total.
Djokovic completed the tournament with an unbeaten 34 match record at the China Open, having defeated several accomplished opponents on his way to the final.
However, the Serbian acknowledged that age and recovery have increasingly influenced his decisions about competition. He said he was not yet certain whether he would return to Beijing next year.
With Federer and Rafael Nadal already retired, Djokovic remains the last active member of tennis's celebrated Big Three.
For the supporters who travelled long distances to see him, the Beijing triumph was more than another trophy. It was an opportunity to celebrate a champion whose career continues to inspire loyalty, even as its final chapters approach.
