Djokovic claims 102nd title as De Minaur retires from China Open final

Novak Djokovic secured the 102nd singles title of his career when Alex de Minaur retired from the China Open final, BBC Sport reported. The Serbian led 7-6 (7-3) 0-1 when the Australian stopped with an apparent left thigh problem, ending Djokovic’s wait of just over a year for another title.

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The opening set lasted 68 minutes, with Djokovic taking the tie-break before both finalists received medical timeouts. De Minaur played only one game after they resumed before bringing the match to an end. The BBC described the thigh issue as apparent; its report did not provide a confirmed diagnosis or a timetable for his recovery.

At 39, Djokovic has now won at least one singles title in 21 consecutive years. His career total leaves him one short of Roger Federer’s 103, with Jimmy Connors leading on 109. The Beijing victory was also his seventh China Open title and extended his winning run at the tournament to 34 matches.

Djokovic was appearing at the event for the first time in 11 years. His route to the trophy included a victory over world number two Alexander Zverev. In the semi-finals, he was leading third seed Daniil Medvedev by a set and a break when the Russian was defaulted. The title will move Djokovic back into the world’s top 10.

Beijing was only Djokovic’s second final of the season. His first came at the Australian Open, where he defeated Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals before losing to Carlos Alcaraz. He subsequently reached the Wimbledon semi-finals, losing to eventual champion Sinner, but exited the French Open in the third round against Joao Fonseca and the US Open in the first round.

Djokovic has reduced his tournament schedule to protect his body. In comments carried by the BBC after the final, he described a season disrupted by physical and health difficulties, while saying his performances in Beijing demonstrated that he could still challenge the leading players when feeling well. He also stressed the particular significance of winning again at a tournament where he remains unbeaten.