BEIJING — Novak Djokovic won the China Open after Alex de Minaur retired from the final with an injury. The victory marked the 102nd career title for the 39-year-old Serbian, extending a streak of winning at least one singles title in each of the last 21 years.

The match ended with the score at 7-6 (7-3), 0-1 in favor of Djokovic. De Minaur retired after winning the first game of the second set, citing a left thigh injury as the reason for his withdrawal. Medical assessments also noted a groin injury as a factor in the retirement.

"I don’t feel great … I want to say sorry to all the amazing fans," de Minaur said at the trophy presentation. The 27-year-old Australian, who is ranked ninth in the ATP rankings, expressed regret over the manner of the conclusion. "I didn’t want to finish like this … hopefully see you next year," de Minaur said.

Djokovic maintained a perfect record at the tournament, holding a 34-0 match record at the China Open. This victory represented his seventh title at the event. His path to the final included a quarterfinal win against Alexander Zverev.

In the semifinals, Djokovic defeated Daniil Medvedev after Medvedev was defaulted. Medvedev was removed from the match after striking a spectator with a tennis ball. Minaur reached the final after Hubert Hurkacz retired from their semifinal match due to injury. Hurkacz retired while trailing 6-4, 3-2 in the second set.

Lleyton Hewitt joined de Minaur's coaching team during the China Open. Minaur has 11 career titles and married Katie Boulter in 2026. Djokovic has won 102 career titles and has won at least one singles title in each of the last 21 years.

On the same day as the China Open final, Carlos Alcaraz won the Japan Open by defeating Jiri Lehecka 7-6(4) 6-4. Alcaraz retained his Japan Open title, becoming the first man to win back-to-back Japan Open titles since Pete Sampras in 1993 and 1994. The victory was Alcaraz's third title of the year and his 27th career title.

Alcaraz previously won the Australian Open and Qatar Open in 2026. He was sidelined by a wrist injury for nearly five months before returning at the US Open in late August. In January 2026, Djokovic lost the Australian Open final to Alcaraz. Alcaraz reached the quarter-finals of the 2026 US Open before losing to Ben Shelton.

Alcaraz is ranked world number three. He will play Juan Manuel Cerundolo or a qualifier in the first round of the Shanghai Masters. The main draw of the Shanghai Masters begins on Wednesday.

What's New

Novak Djokovic holds a 34-0 match record at the China Open. Novak Djokovic lost the 2026 Australian Open final to Carlos Alcaraz. Hubert Hurkacz retired while trailing 6-4, 3-2 in the second set of his semifinal against Alex de Minaur.

Novak Djokovic has won the China Open seven times. Novak Djokovic defeated Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals of the China Open. Daniil Medvedev was defaulted from his semifinal match against Novak Djokovic after striking a spectator with a tennis ball.

Why It Matters

Djokovic's 102nd career title extends his streak of winning at least one singles title in each of the last 21 years, bringing him closer to the Open era record of 109 held by Jimmy Connors. The final featured retirements for both finalists earlier in the tournament and in the championship match, showing the physical toll on players like de Minaur and Hurkacz. Meanwhile, Alcaraz secured his third title of the year following a five-month absence due to a wrist injury, becoming the first man since Pete Sampras to win back-to-back Japan Open titles.