Another Difficult Match
Novak Djokovic’s latest appearance at the China Open has once again put the spotlight on his physical condition, although the Serbian superstar managed to begin his Beijing campaign with a straight-sets victory.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion defeated Nuno Borges 6-3, 7-6(2) on Wednesday, extending his extraordinary record at the tournament to 30 wins from 30 matches. However, Djokovic required treatment during the second set, adding another talking point to his recent run of physically demanding matches.
Recent Fitness Problems
Concerns surrounding Djokovic’s fitness have intensified during the second half of the 2026 season. At the Cincinnati Open, the Serbian experienced significant physical difficulties during his opening-round defeat, while his US Open campaign ended in similarly challenging circumstances.
During his first-round US Open loss to Mariano Navone on August 30, Djokovic dealt with shoulder and back problems and vomited during the match. The defeat came after another difficult physical outing in Cincinnati.
Djokovic Has Addressed the Situation
The veteran has acknowledged that his body has presented challenges during the season. Following his US Open defeat, reports noted that Djokovic spoke about dealing with physical problems throughout the year and questioned how long he could continue playing under those circumstances.
However, Djokovic entered Beijing with a more positive assessment of his condition.
Before the China Open, he said he was feeling good and explained that his body had responded well during his preparation. He also recognised that competitive matches provide a different test from practice sessions.
A Month Away From Competition
Djokovic had not played a competitive match since his US Open exit, giving him almost a month away from tournament tennis before returning in Beijing.
That break provided an opportunity to recover and prepare for another demanding stretch of the season. His decision to compete in Beijing was also influenced by his remarkable history at the event.
Djokovic had previously won all six of his China Open appearances and entered this year’s tournament with a 29-0 record in Beijing.
Victory Despite the Questions
Against Borges, Djokovic produced enough quality to secure another victory, particularly when the second set reached a deciding tiebreak.
The result extended his perfect record in Beijing and gave him an encouraging start to his return. Nevertheless, the treatment he received during the match means attention will remain on how his body responds as the tournament progresses.
What Comes Next?
Djokovic’s immediate challenge is maintaining his physical condition while attempting to build momentum in Beijing. His return comes at an important stage of the season, with the veteran continuing to pursue further major achievements.
For now, there is no confirmed explanation that establishes one specific underlying cause for his recent physical difficulties. What is clear is that Djokovic has experienced several demanding matches this season and has openly acknowledged the challenges his body has presented.
His latest victory provides a positive result, but his fitness will remain one of the major storylines surrounding his China Open campaign.