Nocturnal 
Novak Djokovic has won the China Open for a seventh time without ever facing a match point in either his semi-final or the final – but not because of anything he did on the scoreboard.
The 39-year-old’s run to the title in Beijing finished in bizarre fashion on both counts. His semi-final against Daniil Medvedev ended when the Russian was disqualified for hitting a spectator with the ball, and the final was cut short when Alex de Minaur was forced to retire injured.
It means Djokovic claimed the 102nd tour-level title of his career – his first of 2026 – without ever being made to serve it out.
How the semi-final unravelled
Djokovic was serving for the match at 7-5, 5-3 and just three points from victory when Medvedev, frustrated after a long rally, swiped a ball into the stands, as reported by Sky Sports and the Mirror. The ball struck a spectator in the face, and medics rushed to treat the fan, who was escorted from the stadium.
Umpire Mohamed Lahyani consulted officials before defaulting Medvedev under rules that prohibit hitting a ball “dangerously or recklessly, or with negligent disregard of the consequences,” as the BBC noted.
Medvedev said afterwards: “I’m terribly sorry to the spectator first of all and trying to get in touch with him if he wants to. I mean 100% an accident. You can see that I didn’t hit the ball in anger.”
Djokovic, who was defaulted himself at the 2020 US Open for hitting a line judge with a ball, said he felt for his opponent. “I am a little bit shocked to be honest with the turn of events. I feel sorry for Daniil. Also for the person, who I hope is not injured,” he said, adding: “I was disqualified from the US Open for something similar six years ago. So I know the feeling. It’s horrible.”
De Minaur forced out of the final
Djokovic then faced Alex de Minaur in the final, narrowly taking the first set 7-6 (7-3). The Australian left the court for a medical timeout after the set and returned with a heavy bandage on his left thigh, but he could not continue after winning the first game of the second set.
“It’s been 11 years since I last played here,” Djokovic said at the trophy ceremony. “I always have high expectations of myself and always want to visualise myself with the trophy, particularly here in Beijing, a place where I have never lost. This year has been quite challenging for me: lots of physical and health issues.”
De Minaur apologised to fans for the way the final ended. “I want to say sorry to all the amazing fans who came to watch this match. I didn’t want to finish like this, so I’m really sorry,” he said.
Former British number one Johanna Konta, speaking to Sky Sports Tennis, said: “It’s just the anticlimactic nature of it. He was the best player this week because you can only ask a player to deal with the challenges that are presented to them and Djokovic dealt with the challenges that were ahead of him.”
Why it matters
The win takes Djokovic’s record at the ATP 500 event to 34-0 and moves him to within one title of Roger Federer’s 103 in the Open Era, behind only Jimmy Connors’ 109. According to The Sun, at 39 he becomes the oldest man to win a top-level title in nearly 50 years.
The result also boosts his chances of qualifying for the season-ending ATP Finals after a difficult year that included a first-round exit at the US Open to Mariano Navone, per Forbes. Teenager Mirra Andreeva has since praised Djokovic’s resilience, calling him an “inspiration” following his run in Beijing, according to Tennis365.
For Medvedev, the disqualification adds to a lengthy list of on-court flashpoints, including an infamous 2025 Australian Open fine of more than £60,000. The ATP has not confirmed any further sanction beyond the default, and the condition of the spectator struck in the face has not been officially disclosed.
