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Novak Djokovic keeps perfect Beijing record alive after final takes an unexpected turn

Novak Djokovic extended his flawless Beijing record to 34–0 with an unexpected victory at the 2023 China Open, defeating Alex de Minaur in a final that ended prematurely due to injury. The Australian retired in the second set after just 23 minutes of play, citing a left thigh issue, despite holding his serve at match point.

Djokovic, now 39, claimed his seventh China Open title and became the oldest ATP 500 champion since the category’s 2009 inception, showcasing his enduring dominance over a decade of competition in the city. The first set was a tight affair, with Djokovic overcoming two break points from de Minaur before prevailing 7–6(3) in a tiebreak marked by fewer winners but sharper point construction from the Serbian.

De Minaur’s early exit—after fighting through one additional game—highlighted the physical toll of Djokovic’s relentless play, while the result underscored the Serbian’s ability to secure victories in unconventional ways, even as younger rivals push for relevance in the sport’s upper echelon.

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