Novak Djokovic to return to China Open after 11-year hiatus

Novak Djokovic has confirmed his return to the China Open in Beijing, marking his first appearance at the ATP 500 tournament in 11 years. The 39-year-old Serbian tennis player, who holds a record six titles at the event, announced his participation via social media, expressing excitement to play at the National Tennis Centre.

This comeback follows a challenging period for Djokovic, including a shock first-round exit at the US Open against Mariano Navone, which contributed to his drop to 12th in the ATP rankings. The tournament is scheduled to take place from September 30 to October 6.

Djokovic joins a highly competitive field that includes players such as Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, and Alex de Minaur. Defending champion Jannik Sinner is also expected to be a key figure at the event, though he has recently been managing a knee injury.