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Novak Djokovic claimed his seventh title at the China Open after Alex de Minaur retired due to a left thigh injury while trailing 6-7 (3), 0-1 in the final on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. The abrupt finish in Beijing brought Djokovic his 102nd career singles title and pushed his career match record at the tournament to a pristine 34-0, according to the sources.
Title Claimed in Beijing Following De Minaur Injury Retirement
The championship match concluded after one hour and 24 minutes when De Minaur stopped playing immediately after losing the first game of the second set, having already required medical attention for his left leg at the end of the opening tiebreak. The retirement came just a day after Djokovic advanced through the semifinals via the disqualification of Daniil Medvedev, who was penalized for hitting a spectator with a tennis ball. Reflecting on the unusual path to the trophy, Djokovic admitted the victory brought mixed emotions. “To be honest, it’s a bit of a strange feeling,” Djokovic said. “I want to celebrate because I played one of the best weeks of the last few years. At the same time, he retired at the start of the second set, so it doesn’t feel right to jump around and show great joy. But deep down, I am very proud of this achievement.”
Historical Milestones and Rankings Impact for Djokovic
At 39 years old, the Serbian star captured his first title of the 2026 season and his first tournament victory since winning the Athens ATP 250 in November 2025. The triumph in the Chinese capital marked his 102nd career title, leaving him one shy of Roger Federer’s 103 trophies for second place in the Open Era. Jimmy Connors leads the historical list with 109 titles. The Beijing run also represents Djokovic’s 146th career final, tying him with Ivan Lendl for third all-time behind Connors (164) and Federer (157). The tournament performance guarantees Djokovic a return to the top 10 in the ATP rankings after he dropped out following a first-round exit at the US Open, with further gains possible depending on exact points allocation.
Semifinal Disqualification and Financial Penalties for Medvedev
The tournament’s late stages were heavily shaped by the semifinal exit of Daniil Medvedev. During his match against Djokovic on Monday, October 5, 2026, the Russian player was trailing 7-5, 5-3, 15-15 when he struck a ball toward the back wall that bounced into the stands and hit a spectator in the eye. The umpire disqualified Medvedev immediately. The penalty carried severe financial and competitive consequences, stripping Medvedev of 220,000 euros in prize money and 200 ranking points. That loss kept Medvedev at 3,030 points in the ATP Finals race rather than lifting him to 3,230, leaving his eighth-place qualification spot vulnerable to chasing players like De Minaur and Djokovic.
Medvedev Apologizes After Disqualification Follows Prior Disciplinary Issues
Following the incident where his encounter with Novak Djokovic ended when he struck a spectator at the ATP 500 in Beijing, Daniil Medvedev issued a public statement. Sinto muito ao espectador, antes de tudo
, stated the Russian, quoted by The Guardian. The disqualification at the China Open followed a series of discipline issues during previous months for the player. Months earlier at the 2025 US Open, he received a 42,500-dollar fine following an episode during his encounter with Benjamin Bonzi. In April during the Monte Carlo Masters, Medvedev destroyed multiple rackets and threw the remnants into a trash can next to the court during a 6-0, 6-0 defeat against Matteo Berrettini.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 China Open Final
How many times has Novak Djokovic won the China Open?
Novak Djokovic has won the Beijing tournament seven times, maintaining an undefeated 34-0 match record at the event across his career.
What was the score when Alex de Minaur retired from the final?
Alex de Minaur retired due to a left thigh injury after losing the first-set tiebreak 7-6 (3) and dropping the opening game of the second set 1-0.
Why was Daniil Medvedev disqualified in the semifinals?
Daniil Medvedev was disqualified during his semifinal match against Djokovic after hitting a ball into the stands that struck a spectator in the eye.
How many career titles does Novak Djokovic have after winning in Beijing?
Djokovic’s victory in Beijing marked the 102nd singles title of his professional career, placing him one trophy behind Roger Federer.
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