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Djokovic claims the 102nd title of his career in Beijing after De Minaur retires
At 39, Novak Djokovic has won in Beijing the 102nd title of his career after Alex De Minaur retired from the ATP 500 final (7-6 [3], 0-1). His first trophy since the Athens ATP 250 of November 2025, at the end of a week that brought three top-10 scalps.
by Camille Vasseur · 2 min read
Alex De Minaur held his opening service game of the second set, 1-0, and the match stopped there. In Tuesday’s Beijing ATP 500 final, the Australian retired with his left thigh strapped after treatment, and the trophy went to Novak Djokovic: 7-6 (3), 0-1 retired. At 39, the Serb collects the 102nd title of his career, his first since the Athens ATP 250 of November 2025.
A final stopped halfway
The first set lived up to the billing: Djokovic took it in the tie-break, seven points to three, after a chest massage on court. De Minaur, treated and back on court, visibly limited, held his serve at the start of the second set and then handed the match over. The final score says little: in the semi-final, Daniil Medvedev (No. 5) had already been disqualified for hitting a ball into the stands. Two of the Serb’s last three matches ended early. “It doesn’t feel right to jump around and be joyful,” Djokovic said at the trophy ceremony.
Three top-10 wins in a row
The draw gives the trophy its worth. Alexander Zverev (world No. 2) in the quarter-final, Medvedev (No. 5) in the semi, Alex De Minaur (No. 9) in the final: three top-10 wins in a row, a first since the 2023 ATP Finals, in a city that serves him like no other. Back in Beijing after eleven years, Djokovic is still unbeaten there: seven titles from seven appearances, 34 wins, no defeats. “It’s been 11 years since I last played here… a place where I have never lost,” he said. On the career list, he now sits one behind Roger Federer (103 titles) and seven short of the record held by Jimmy Connors (109). No ATP title winner had been older since Ken Rosewall, champion at 43 in Hong Kong in 1977.
What it changes for the run-in
“I want to celebrate, because I’ve played one of the best weeks in the last couple of years,” Djokovic added after the final. At 11th in the world, he keeps alive his chances of qualifying for the ATP Finals in Turin, with Jannik Sinner already ruled out. Alex De Minaur, 27, 10th in the Race, was due to play the Shanghai Masters 1000 (7-18 October) to defend his place in Turin; the state of his left thigh will be the first thing to watch there.