Novak Djokovic: 7 things to know about the tennis star chasing another Beijing title
Novak Djokovic is back in Beijing and, once again, he is proving why he remains one of the biggest names in tennis.
The 39-year-old Serbian defeated top seed Alexander Zverev 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 on Sunday to reach the China Open semi-finals. The victory extended his perfect record at the tournament to 32 wins from 32 matches.
Djokovic will face former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev in the semi-final as he continues his search for a seventh China Open title and his first trophy of 2026.
But beyond his latest win, Djokovic’s career has produced a long list of records and remarkable achievements.
Here are seven things to know about the Serbian tennis star.
1. Who is Novak Djokovic?
Novak Djokovic is a Serbian professional tennis player born in Belgrade on May 22, 1987.
He turned professional in 2003 and has spent more than two decades competing at the highest level of men’s tennis.
Djokovic rose to world No. 1 for the first time in 2011. He has since spent a record 428 weeks at the top of the ATP rankings.
His career has also included major rivalries with Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and, more recently, players such as Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev.
At 39, Djokovic is now competing against a younger generation while attempting to extend a career that has already placed him among tennis’ greatest players.
2. How many Grand Slam titles has Djokovic won?
Djokovic has won 24 Grand Slam singles titles, the most in men’s tennis.
His collection includes 10 Australian Open titles, seven Wimbledon titles, four US Open titles and three French Open titles. He is also the only player to have won each of the four Grand Slam tournaments at least three times.
His Grand Slam success is one of the biggest reasons Djokovic is regularly mentioned in debates over the greatest men’s tennis player of all time.
His latest major title came at the 2023 US Open, meaning he has gone several seasons without adding to his Grand Slam total.
3. Why is Djokovic’s Beijing record remarkable?
Djokovic’s relationship with the China Open is one of the most dominant tournament records in tennis.
Before his 2026 return, he had played 29 matches in Beijing and won all of them. He also won all six editions of the tournament in which he previously competed.
His last appearance before this year’s tournament came in 2015, when he defeated Rafael Nadal in the final.
After returning to Beijing following an 11-year absence, Djokovic continued where he stopped.
His victory over Zverev took his China Open record to 32-0, giving him the best winning start at a tour-level event in the Open Era.
A seventh title would therefore extend one of the most unusual winning records in modern tennis.
4. Why has 2026 been difficult for Djokovic?
Despite his success in Beijing, Djokovic’s 2026 season has been far from straightforward.
The Serbian has dealt with health problems during the year, although he has not publicly disclosed the specific condition.
After requiring another medical timeout during his China Open campaign, Djokovic described the season as a “big, big struggle”.
His difficulties were particularly visible at the US Open, where he suffered a first-round defeat to Argentina’s Mariano Navone.
That was Djokovic’s earliest Grand Slam exit since the 2006 Australian Open.
The Beijing run has therefore offered him an opportunity to rebuild confidence and show that he can still compete with the leading players.
5. How did Djokovic beat Alexander Zverev?
Djokovic’s quarter-final against Zverev showed the resilience that has defined much of his career.
The Serbian made a poor start and lost the opening set 6-4. Zverev also produced 19 aces during the match.
Djokovic, however, stayed in the contest and changed the momentum late in the second set.
He broke Zverev at 5-4 to take the second set before producing another decisive break at 5-4 in the third set.
He eventually won 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 after two hours and 35 minutes.
The victory was significant because Zverev entered the tournament as the top seed and was coming off Grand Slam success.
For Djokovic, it was another indication that he can still defeat the best players when his physical condition allows him to compete at his highest level.
6. What is Djokovic chasing in Beijing?
Djokovic is chasing more than another deep tournament run.
He is attempting to win a seventh China Open title and claim his first trophy of 2026.
The Serbian’s official website lists his 2026 record before the Beijing semi-final at 17 wins and six losses, with no title so far this season.
That makes the China Open particularly important.
At this stage of his career, every tournament victory adds another chapter to a record already filled with milestones. A seventh Beijing title would also reinforce his extraordinary connection with the tournament.
7. Who is Djokovic facing next?
Djokovic’s next opponent is Daniil Medvedev.
The Russian defeated Francisco Cerundolo 7-6(4), 6-3 to reach the semi-final. The meeting will bring together two former world No. 1 players.
Medvedev is also one of the players who has challenged Djokovic during the latter part of his career.
Their Beijing meeting therefore offers another test for Djokovic. He has already overcome the top seed, but Medvedev presents a different style and another opportunity for the 39-year-old to measure himself against one of the established stars of the current generation.
For Djokovic, the stakes are clear: another victory would put him one match away from an unbeaten seventh Beijing title.
For a player who has already achieved almost everything tennis has to offer, the Beijing campaign shows that the desire to compete has not disappeared.